SO USAIN Bolt was not mentally prepared for competition in Paris. This is the youngster who has been described in superlatives in media reports and who touched the hearts of many Jamaicans when he tore up the track in the 2002 World Junior games on home turf. The expectation was that the lanky teenager from Trelawny would run some sensational races and make us all proud.
But Bolt did not compete in the 9th World Track and Field Championship where Jamaica finished a comforting 24 of 203 nations. He was watching the events from the sidelines. First we were told about health problems associated with pink eye, which apparently interfered with his training. After that it all became fuzzy. Despite that, many fans remained positively buoyant that he would take to the field in the relays. But the guessing game continued.
It was only on his return to Jamaica that we heard the real reason why the young athlete did not participate. According to press reports he was not mentally prepared. Hello? Does this mean his confidence was a bit shaken? Does this mean he harboured self-doubts? Could it mean he felt afraid of failing when pitted against older rivals?
If the answer is yes to one or all of the above, then someone should tell him: welcome to the club. Usain you are not as alone as you think. Most human beings when faced with a challenge go through a range of emotions and often early excitement sputters into nervousness at the moment of competition. The answer, however, is not to withdraw and cower. Ask Herb McKenley what he knows about being mentally prepared. When it comes to greatness it's that little extra that sets one person apart from the next.
We recognise that Bolt is a youngster. And it can be a huge challenge to satisfy the expectations of the media and the demanding fans. It is an awesome responsibility to have the hopes of two million plus people pinned on you. This means the athlete needs an extra helping of self-esteem and self-confidence to face his rivals. Truly great athletes develop their bodies as well as their minds.
People like McKenley will confirm that the pain of a strong effort is felt by all competitors, including sportsmen and women. The pain of fatigue is the body's way of telling a person he or she is entering new levels of performance. In the grind of competition one is given an opportunity to dig deep within one's reserves and prove one's mettle.
The team management and Bolt's handlers should take the heat for this. Did they not know about this mental weakness before he was bundled up and taken off to Paris at considerable expense? And if there was some doubt about his ability to compete why was his place not given to another athlete?
The more profound question is: how are our athletes prepared, both physically and mentally for such competition? Is there a mentoring programme for our young athletes that seeks to draw on the skills and experience of successful athletes who brought glory and honour to their country in the past?
The rigours of competition demand expert handling by coaches. It is in recognition of these demands that the experts have developed a range of exercises to make competitors mentally tough and boost confidence. There are even mental exercises on the Internet for anyone to access.
If Bolt has a problem with rising to the big occasion, he should get help. There is a need to concentrate on the problem now to ensure that he attains the bright future which he promised. Left unattended, the same thing could happen again and his career could be over before it has started.
Finally, the team management should not be let off the hook. It should be standard procedure that the country be given a report of team performance etc., after each meet or competition. Sports administrators should also be accountable.
