RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Former Manhattan College track & field star Aliann Pompey has been chosen to represent her native Guyana at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. It will be the fourth straight Olympic appearance for Pompey, who competes in the 400 meters.
A veteran on the international track & field scene, Pompey made her Olympic debut at the 2000 Games in Sydney. She has reached the 400-meter semifinals at each of the last two Olympics (2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing), finishing 11th overall in Beijing. Pompey has also represented Guyana at the last six World Championships, and she set a national record of 50.71 seconds at the 2009 edition in Berlin. In addition, she won a silver medal in the event at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
With Pompey's selection this year, Manhattan has sent at least one athlete to each of the last six Olympics, dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Games. Overall, this will be the 16th Olympic appearance for a member of the Jaspers' track & field program. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Lindy Remigino winning two gold medals, including the 100 meters, at the 1952 Games in Helsinki, Finland.
Additionally, Manhattan Assistant Coach Joe Ryan, Pompey's personal coach, has been named Head Coach of the Guyanese track & field team for the London Games. This marks Ryan's second straight Olympic appearance. He served in the same role four years ago in Beijing.
The Olympics run from July 27-Aug. 12, with the track & field competition getting underway on Aug. 3. The women's 400 meter final is scheduled for Aug. 5.
