Olympic medal hopeful Aliann Pompey will be Guyana's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2004 `Sports Jamboree' in Athens, Greece today.
According to Pompey, `G' being the third letter in the Greek alphabet, means that Guyanese team members will be close to the front of the parade of some 202 countries in the official march past of participating countries and officials.
Pompey emphasised that the English alphabetical order will not be used in the march past, so those Guyanese who are expected to be glued to their televisions today, should start looking early. "If you wait for `G' you'll miss us," Pompey stated.
Guyana's Chef-de- Mission, Garfield Wiltshire, said Guyana will be the 41st nation in the march past.
Local television stations will broadcast the opening ceremony at different times today.
NCN 11 will start its transmission from 1 pm and rebroadcast it at 9.05 pm.
WRHM 7 and MTV 14/65 will both start their transmission at 8 pm while RCA 8 (Charity) will start at 8.30 pm.
However a statement from the National Communications Network Inc. yesterday said that the Caribbean Media Corporation, which is the exclusive rights holder for the Olympic Games broadcast in the Caribbean "has confirmed that the National Communications Network and WRHM are the only two stations in Guyana that are licensed to broadcast the games."
"Broadcasters, Cable and otherwise in Guyana are advised to respect the Licensing Agreements of NCN and WRHM, as any violation will be regarded as a breach of Licensing Agreements with CMC/NBC.
Meanwhile, the first local athlete to make an appearance at this Summer Games will be Onan Thom who will compete in heats one of the 100-metre freestyle swimming championships on Tuesday.
Pan American Games women's 800-metre silver medallist Marion Burnette, will contest the 800-metre heats on Friday.
Pompey, the 2002 Commonwealth Games women's 400-metre gold medallist will get into action the following day, as will weight-lifter Julian McWatt in the 85Kg category. Greece is eight hours ahead of Guyana at this time of the year. (Michael DaSilva)