Athlete interest is high at the Aliann Pompey Invitational 2021, according to the meeting’s Founder, Aliann Pompey.
However, the Invitation has not yet received the necessary hosting approval as discussions with the National Task Force COVID-19 are ongoing.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of the flagship athletics meeting in 2020.
However, in January this year, Pompey, the four-time Guyanese Olympian, said the goal is to have a 2021 event in Guyana on June 19.
He highlighted that every effort would be made to ensure that the event met all safety protocols, once the necessary clearance had been granted by the relevant authorities.
On Wednesday, Pompey shared an update on plans for what would be the fifth edition of the meeting.
“We have a number of interested athletes and agents who have reached out to us, so I think we would be able to fill the field,” Pompey reported.
“The issue is that we are still waiting to hear back from the COVID Secretariat. A number of issues were raised and obviously we would want to ensure that this edition of the API follows all protocols, above all for the safety of not only the athletes, but the Guyanese public. “
In February 2020, Pompey and World Athletics had announced that the Invitation will be included on the Continental Tour.
The tour will span six continents and offer athletes the opportunity to receive world ranking points that count towards the Olympics and World Championships.
The inaugural meeting hosted 11 athletes who went on to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
The Aliann Pompey Invitational usually attracts the best athletes from Guyana, the Caribbean, North America and beyond.