Culture, Youth and Sport explains controversial Olympic uniform decision

THE GUYANA OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION (GOA) SOLELY DECIDED ON THE
UNIFORM WORN BY THE COUNTRY’S TEAM at this year’s global event in Tokyo,
Japan, according to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
Guyanese Olympians were clad in a dominant red uniform, the colour of the ruling Peoples
Progressive Party (PPP) which drew outrage from many social media users. However, the
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport via their Facebook page, said it was never involved in the
selection or design of the Olympic outfits.”
“This is strictly the domain of the Guyana Olympic Association,” the social media
statement said.
However, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson in a statement said: “I have seen
comments critical of the colours of the uniform of the Guyana Olympic team, and spurious
allegations directed towards the Ministry for attempting to politicise the uniform in party
colours.” the Minister said.
Ramson advised critics of the Olympians’ uniform instead to channel their energies to celebrate
the achievements of young Guyanese qualifying to participate at the global event. “First, allow
me to remind everyone that this is a time to celebrate the achievements of our young Guyanese
who made it to the world stage to shine the spotlight on our beautiful country,” Ramson said.
“For those young Guyanese Olympians, this is the fulfilment of one of their lifelong dreams,”
Minister Ramson said in his statement.
“Are we really going to allow our petty political allegiance to diminish their deserving moment
of glorious achievement? Are we that selfish? We must not be and we must never be. There are
times to fight and there are times to unite,” Ramson counselled.
“Internally we may have our differences, but on the world stage we must always remember ‘We
Are One Guyana’. Never forget that!” he said.

“For the sake of clarity, however, the Ministry was not and was never involved with the design
of the uniform which includes the choice of colours. This is strictly the domain of the Guyana
Olympic Association and I am advised that all of our national colours were represented,” the
Minister explained.
“Guyana and Guyanese, it is our time to shine – shine bright – shine as one!
#weareoneguyana” Ramson said.