Devon DickUSAIN BOLT, the youngest-ever individual gold medallist at a World Junior Athletics Championships, heralds the birth of a star, that is, a track star. This 15-year-old, winner of Jamaica's only individual gold medal, showed his class and heart by being the only Jamaican athlete to participate in both the 4x100 and 4x400 finals within the space of three hours and gained two additional silver medals in national record time.
Bolt is a rare, raw young talent who has much further to go as he improves his technique and strength. He also carries himself well. His trademark salute to the crowd after victory is something to behold. With the roll of his hands he whips the crowd into frenzy and then he points those fingers to declare that he is number one. He has charisma that sends shivers down your spine, which tells you that here is a star.
In addition, he is not arrogant but he is assertive. After the 200 metres semi-final he was confident that he could beat everybody and after a slow start in the finals he did just that. After the semi-final 4x100, he was confident of beating the Trinidadians, although he admitted that the baton change wasn't as smooth as it ought to be, and his team did just that in the finals. He communicates very well and answers questions honestly. I would love to have heard the knowledgeable and balanced commentator, Hubert Lawrence, former table tennis player for St Jago, interviewing Bolt and other competitors.
One can only hope that Bolt will continue to get good guidance on the track and be comfortable in front of the microphone. He has obvious intellectual ability and he must be encouraged to develop that side of his life. The relatives claimed that they prayed for him and that he is a humble person; his spiritual formation must be carefully handled so that he will manage his success well.
Bolt was the most outstanding star but there were other stars. There were five world junior records and about 11 championship records. There were some stars for Jamaica. Aneisha McLaughlin ran a fantastic curve reminiscent of Donald Quarrie and Grace Jackson and her trademark hairstyle was a beauty to behold. There were other hairstyles like the one worn by Melanie Walker and I hope no one stifles them from wearing these fashionable designs. Athletics must also have colour and class.
In fact, every Jamaican athlete was a star in placing joint second in terms of number of medals. This largest medal haul by a Jamaica team must be placed against a background that only 34 teams out of 160 participating nations got at least one medal. Team Jamaica was a star performer with many persons doing their personal best.
A JOY TO BEHOLD
Other persons doing their best included the volunteers who were efficient, uniform in their movements, elegant, courteous and helpful. The presentations of medals were a joy to behold. President of the IAAF, Lamine Diack, said that this was the best and most successful Junior Games and it was a two-star performance by the head of the local organising committee, Dr. the Hon Vin Lawrence and as executive chairman of UDC, he headed the refurbishing exercise of the National Stadium. The nation needs to find an appropriate way to say thanks. It was good to know that he and his team went overseas to observe and learn how to organise a championship of this magnitude.
The people did a star performance by massive attendance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Diack said that Sunday's attendance was the biggest crowd he has ever seen for a junior championships. The vibes was great and the response of the crowd in encouraging good performances did not go unnoticed by the athletes from other countries. In a rare occurrence a Croat, Blanka Vlasic, after winning the high jump clothed herself in her national flag and the Jamaican flag. That was unique.
Jamaican hospitality was a five-star performance. One USA competitor said it was the first time he was travelling outside of America and Jamaica was a beautiful place with wonderful athletes. Another runner said she wanted to spend another week. This World Junior Championships will give a boost to tourism because can you imagine athletes from 160 nations taking home pleasant memories of Jamaica? Later these youngsters when they turn adults will want to visit for memories of the track meet while others will even want to get married here and spend their honeymoon.
Adrian Wallace was also a star because it was under his presidency that the bid to host the championships was made. He, along with the legendary Honourable Herb McKenley (Why isn't he given the Order of Merit for his international contribution to athletics?) and Mike Fennell, made convincing presentations to the IAAF.
President of the JAAA, Mr. Pat Anderson, has said that the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson has challenged them to host a Caribbean versus the rest of the world athletics meet. That is a wonderful idea. My family felt proud to have witnessed at the National Stadium the gold medal run by Usain Bolt and to stand for the National Anthem and we know that in our lifetime a World Junior Games will not return to Jamaica but I dare to dream and ask the nation to reach for another star so that a World Championship Games could be held here within the next 10 years and possibly we could see Bolt and others who participated in the World Junior Games going for a world record on Jamaican soil.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
