Guinea To Participate In Olympics

Guinea will participate in Olympics, reversing a decision to withdraw from the games in Tokyo, Japan.

The Guinean Minister of Sports Sanoussy Bantama Sow had on Wednesday announced that the country had pulled out of the Games to protect athletes from the world public health crisis caused by Covid-19.

National Olympic and Sports Committee Guinea President Nabi Camara urged government to reconsider and said the event could raise spirits in the country.

“The Minister of State, Minister of Sports has the true pleasure of informing the people of Guinea and the whole sports family, that the government, after obtaining guarantees from the health authorities, agrees to the participation of our athletes in the 32nd Olympics in Tokyo,” the minister said in a statement.

Earlier word spread that Guinea were withdrawing the team due to financial constrains as their government had failed to approve the budget for the athletes.

A total of five athletes that will represent the west African nation at the Games participated in the opening ceremony on Friday.

Wrestler Fatoumata Yarie Camara, judoka Mamadou Samba Bah, swimmers Fatoumata Lamarana Toure and Mamadou Tahirou Bah and sprinter Aissata Deen Conte will now compete for Guinea at Tokyo 2020.