IAAF Championship and violence

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AS MOST of us know, elections are constitutionally due by the end of 2002. At the moment, the political rhetoric between the PNP and the JLP is gaining strength, while the incredible acts of violence in the nation's capital and elsewhere in the country show no signs of abating. Looking at the statistics, if the present trend continues, the homicide rate will almost certainly exceed 1,000 this year.

The problem is that in less than a year from today (July 16-21, 2002), Kingston will be hosting the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships. At that time, an estimated 2,600 athletes and officials will be staying in Kingston. More than 160 countries are expected to be represented at this the world's premier junior track and field event. Consequently, the mass media from across the globe will be centered on Kingston for a week. Get the picture?

I am, etc.

HOWARD BROWN

brown_2001@excite.com

Via Go-Jamaica

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