THE EDITOR, Madam:
THE CONTROVERSY over Merlene Ottey's participation in the 100-metres sprint at the Sydney Olympics seems to be getting more recognition with each passing day, and rightly so. After Merlene's 11.00 seconds performance Tuesday, she is now the fastest Jamaican over the 100-metres (as she predicted) and it took her only three meets in which to accomplish the feat.
I have always admired the JAAA, but in this case I place the blame squarely on their shoulders. Here is why. They vowed to stand by Merlene during her desperate fight with the IAAF and they did. After that dramatic episode ended so close to the national Olympic trials, they should have made special provisions to try and avert the controversy that they now face.
As a fan, I saw this coming, and as an association, the JAAA should have too. This is what I think they should have done:
(a) They should have granted Merlene a conditional place on the team to run the 100-metres in Sydney.
(b) They should have communicated this to the other athletes, so they know that there would possibly have been only two vacant spots for the women's 100-metres.
Now, how do you tell her she can only run the 4x100 relay? Donovan Bailey did not run at the Canadian Olympic trials last weekend and he is on the team to run the 100-metres in Sydney. For all Merlene has done for athletics, and Jamaica, that is the least the JAAA could have done.
At this stage it is unfair to ask Peta Gaye Dowdie, Beverley McDonald, or Tanya Lawrence to give up their spot for Merlene. Of course, if Beverley decides to skip the 100-metres for her pet event, the 200-metres, then this problem could easily be solved. But will she? And, how does the JAAA prevent this from occurring again?
I only hope that Merlene will get to run the 100-metres in Sydney, so I can watch her go out in style. It is not only unfair, but it is also uncharacteristic for such a great athlete and citizen to end her career on such a sour note. Merlene deserves better.
I am etc.,
LEONARD WHYTE
E-mail:
lwhyte@us.amadeus.net
Miami, Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
