16 year Guyanese swimmer Onika George, Guyana’s only swimmer at the Commonwealth Games, finished 4th in the Women’s 50m Freestyle – Heat 2 on Thursday and 5th in the Women’s 100m Freestyle – Heat 1 today. Her next event, Women’s 50m Backstroke – Heat 2 is scheduled for Monday, July 28th.
But what’s commendable about Onika George is her determination to inspire her fellow Guyanese to take up swimming as a sport. When fellow Guyanese men’s freestyle and butterfly hopeful Niall Roberts pulled out of the team due to a shoulder injury, it seems the pressure was now on for Onika George to perform; the hopes of a nation rest on her shoulders.
Onika took the pressure in strides, she said in an interview with local media “There isn’t so much pressure, though. You still just get in the pool and do your best”
This is what inspiration means, when you feel down and out or maybe things around you are not going your way, you have to simply rise above all the challenges and move ahead.
As I listen to my Guyanese friends talk about the problems in Guyana, I think that there is still hope. If Guyana can produce more young people like Onika George, who have that strong determination and positive outlook on life, then the future will be bright for Guyana.
If only Guyanese believe!
