By Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterBATTLE WEARY and tired, Jamaica's athletes who participated in the 16th Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Mexico on the weekend returned to the island yesterday after finishing second to the hosts.
"Based on what most people thought was a weaker team, we surpassed expectations," coach Edward Hector told The Gleaner upon their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.
He added: "Although the conditions were a bit hard travelling into Mexico, the athletes did perform at a very high standard and we are proud of their achievements."
Jamaica secured 38 medals (17 gold, 11 silver, 10 bronze) while finishing second behind Mexico, who were represented by the largest delegation of some 140 athletes. The Central Americans totalled a mammoth 74 medals, including 23 gold, 24 silver and 27 bronze.
Hector believes that if it wasn't for the over 60-hour travelling schedule, his team would have done better.
"We travelled for over 60 hours so we didn't even reach the opening ceremony," he explained. "We just went straight into the competition.
"That alone in itself did put us off in terms of our preparation and our mental readiness. It showed in the performances of the sprinters, it affected some in various ways. They did overcome and some actually excelled."
CLASS ACT
Hector, who coaches Holm-wood's boys team, singled out double gold medallist Nicholas Gordon as "... a class act, a self motivator and his performance really lifted the performance of the team."
He also identified Kimberley Smith for her performance.
"She ran a PR (Personal Record) in the Under-17 100m (11.64) and in the 200m, it would have been another PR, but she was disqualified for infringing on the line."
Hector, who is also Holmwood's Vice Principal, also made special mention of the boys' Under-17 4x400m and the boys' Under-20 mile relay team, which was without Usain Bolt and Josef Robertson.
He listed his only disappointment with the Under-17 girls 4x100m team which experienced a bad baton change on the second leg.
"I am sure they would have recorded an excellent time because they were blazing away," he claimed.
He stated that another surprise came in the triple jump Under-17 boys where Nicholas Gordon (13.88m) won gold ahead of compatriot Dwight Webley, who leapt 13.61 metres. "We weren't entered for that event and to get a gold and a silver, that was a surprise for us."
Gordon also took gold in the long jump with a leap of 6.65 metres.
Some of these athletes will be travelling to next month's World Junior Championships in Italy and Hector believes the CAC Games provided a good warm-up for those who will be competing at that meeting.
