FROM THE BOUNDARYTony Becca
SHOULD Merlene Ottey be selected to run in the 100 metres at the Olympic Games? That is the big question around Jamaica today, opinions are split almost down the middle, and both those in favour and those against have strong arguments.
Those in favour believe that although Ottey did not finish in the top three at National Championships she is still the fastest Jamaican woman around and she has been a great athlete. To them, she deserves special treatment and therefore special favours.
Those against, however, believe regardless of her reputation and her recent performance, she did not qualify and therefore should not be selected ahead of any one of the three who did. To them, it is as simple as that - especially based on their interpretation of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's rules governing selection.
It is, however, not as simple as that.
Although the rule of the JAAA states that in order to be selected an athlete must participate in the National Championships, it does not state that those who finish in the first three will be automatically selected - even if they meet the qualifying time, and because of that the JAAA can select Ottey if it so desires.
The practice, however, has been to select the team based on performance at the National Championships, and based on that and the fact that all three top finishers - Peta-Gaye Dowdie, Beverly McDonald and Tanya Lawrence - have met the qualifying time, the JAAA would not be true to itself if it were to select Ottey.
In fact, if the JAAA does select Ottey it could be accused of double standards by those who remember that it certainly stuck to its practice in 1996 when Gregory Haughton, winner of the bronze medal in the 400 metres at the World Championships in 1995, finished fourth in the event at the 1996 National Championships and was only selected to run the 4x400 metres relay at the Olympic Games.
Double-standards or not, the JAAA does have a way out.
In its letter to the top finishers at the National Championships, the JAAA wrote that selection to the Olympic team was not automatic. The JAAA told the successful athletes they had to maintain their form of the National Championships in meets leading up to the Games, and if that is so, it can select Ottey who, like Lawrence and unlike Dowdie, has been running well since.
As great as Ottey has been, however, and although she may still be the fastest, what is best for Jamaica is more than putting her into the 100 metres race.
What is best for Jamaica is also about fairplay - which is following not only rules but also normal practice; it is also about development - which is looking to the future; it is also about motivation - which is not robbing youngsters of their opportunity; and it is also about team spirit.
Apart from the fact that unlike Ottey, Dowdie and Lawrence represent the future, after all that has happened the JAAA must also consider what effect the selection of Ottey will have on the morale of the team - especially on the members of the 4x100 relay team.
Ottey has been a great Jamaican athlete and a great ambassador, probably she would have been at the top of her form and probably would have qualified easily had she been on the track instead of fighting to clear her name, and if there is a place for her, if there is an opening, then she should be selected.
That would be great. To be around after five Olympic Games, to be good enough to challenge for a place in the 100 metres at 40 is worthy of praise - high praise.
Participation, however, should not be at the expense of someone else. As it stands, Ottey should not be selected - unless, as the letter from the JAAA to the athletes said, one of Dowdie, McDonald and Lawrence has failed to maintain their form of the National Championships.
