Kaycina Deygoo - student:

`It’s a surprise because usually it’s rare for our athletes to go this far. She has made a good effort, she tried and she did it. It’s amazing. Her win will give the local athletes a great boost. The encouragement and the enthusiasm to do well to do the same. If she can do it, they can do it too. I think the government should also look towards the early development of our athletes. As soon as they see the potential overseas, they try to enhance the abilities of their young athletes. We can definitely look forward to seeing local athletes achieving the same success. As long as they have the right training and right facilities they can do it. As long as we have them they’ll succeed.’

Leon Fields - postman:

`It’s a vibrant comeback for Guyana to the top. It’s exciting. Her victory will motivate local athletes. But what we need to do now is put the facilities and equipment in place to develop our local athletes. It is the only way we can gain recognition worldwide. We have the athletes but what we don’t have is the tools to train them. Her victory will motivate local athletes, all they need to do is put the facilities in place. It’s possible for us to win more medals, more golds. They just need the facilities.’

Gary Moore - photographer:

`I believe a Guyanese can do whatever they want to do, once they work towards it. And despite the economic situation in the country, once you put your mind to it you can achieve anything. I am proud of her. She is setting the standard for other Guyanese and she is keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying high by motivating others to do the same, to achieve their goals, no matter what they might be. If you have a goal, you have to work towards it. Once you have a vision you are already half the way there. The only thing left to do is to achieve it. I don’t think it matters where you have to go to achieve it, even if it is elsewhere. But of course more should be done to develop facilities here so that our athletes don’t have to go elsewhere to have access to facilities. But all that matters is getting to the top and inspiring the younger generation to do the same.’

Kim Ryan - teacher:

`Personally I am very proud of what she has done. I was an athlete in school and as a teacher I take part in athletics. What she did is quite good especially for ladies. It encourages more women to take part in athletics and as far as I am concerned it pushes more young girls to take part in sports. I hope other young females are inspired by her to take part in more sporting activities. She is an inspiration to myself and to many others.’

Clairmonte France - teacher:

`My view is that what she has done has really once again put us on the map and her efforts should be commended. And like the boxer, [Andrew] Lewis, she should be given a red carpet welcome. She is now what we would call an `icon’ in our society. A good role model. And I want to extend to her best wishes and also to all those who have been training and supporting her along the way. About her training abroad, it doesn’t matter. Look at Ato Boldon, he runs for Trinidad but he trains and goes to school in the United States. The patriotism is still there. But it also says a lot that we don’t have the necessary tools and equipment for our athletes. They have to go abroad. Instead of them going abroad, we need to put more emphasis, more funding into the facilities so that our athletes can benefit. Rather than going overseas they can stay here and train.’

Shemroy Jaime -private sector employee:

`I think she has done Guyana well. She has brought some sort of pride. We have waited for 68 years. I think that it is very good, especially for a female. Now we want a man to do the same. I wish her well but I hope she achieves the real gold that we need, that is the Olympic gold. Her success means a lot. Local athletes will now have a firsthand look at what it takes to be a champion. She has motivated younger athletes. If I were a young athlete, now developing, I would feel like I could do the same. She has made them feel proud about themselves. It will make them more dedicated. I hope she receives a warm welcome when she returns, especially from the younger athletes, they should really do something.’

Andrew Butts - self employed:

`It is good that a Guyanese has brought a gold medal back after so many years. And it is great that she has put us on the map again. That is so nice. I hope our other athletes will do the same. Everyone support her and give her encouragement to do it again. Bring home another gold. I believe that the local athletes should be inspired by her performance. I would encourage her to continue her hard work and go for another gold at the Olympics. I wish her all the best and I am proud of her.’

Nicola Albert - private sector employee: