Tony Becca - FROM THE BOUNDARYTHE OLYMPIC Games are over and Jamaica continues to bask in the glory of the magnificent performances of its athletes.
In spite of the country's rich history on the track at the Olympic Games, for a country of Jamaica's size and economy to win two gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals is an outstanding achievement and, although with a little luck, it could have been more, it is worth celebrating by one and all and for as long as possible.
What has been really nice, however, is that in their celebrations, Jamaicans have not forgotten the stars of yesterday champions like Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley, George Rhoden and Don Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson, Juliet Cuthbert and Deon Hemmings, the men and women who made the world stand up and take note of little Jamaica 56 years ago and who, over the years, maintained the greatness of Jamaica's athletics.
MEDALS
Remembering that Ottey winner of 20 medals at the Olympic Games and the World Championships, including two gold medals in the 200 metres at the World Championships and one silver medal at the Olympic Games found time to have a chat with Veronica Campbell and to encourage her before the 200 metres, and that Campbell listened and spoke about it after her triumph, it is also nice that the champions of yesterday respect, admire and encourage the champions of today and that the champions of today also remember, respect and admire the champions of yesterday.
That is what sport is all about, and remembering the dedication of former Olympians like McKenley, Denis Johnson, Keith Gardner, Quarrie, Jackson, Pablo McNeil, Patrick Robinson, Clifton Forbes, Vilma Charlton, Bertland Cameron and Neville Myton to track and field and to the development of the country's young athletes, that is probably why Jamaica has been consistently so successful for so long.
Yes, gold medal winners Campbell, Tayna Lawrence, Sherone Simpson and Aleen Bailey, silver medallist Danny McFarlane, and bronze medal winners Novelene Williams, Michelle Burgher, Nadia Davy and Sandie Richards deserve to be toasted and feted.
In the spirit of sport, however, so too should all the members of the team, and it is wonderful to hear that the Government will be saying "thank you" in October to each and everyone not only to others like James Beckford and Maurice Wignall who just missed winning a medal, but to all of them.
From all reports, all the team members not only gave of their best, but in the rue spirit of sport, they also supported each other.
Sports Minister Portia Simpson Miller, however, has gone beyond that, and she too deserves a round of applause.
Regardless of why, after going to the Games with so much expected of him with the burden of the unrealistic hopes of a nation on his shoulder, after running a disappointing 21.05 a far cry from his World Junior record 19.93, and after failing to come out of the first round of the 200 metres, 18-year-old Usain Bolt must be a disappointed young man.
ENCOURAGEMENT
It is at a time like this that any one, but especially one so young, needs encouragement, and it was good to see the Minister not only patting the winners on the back, not only hugging and praising them, but also remembering Bolt, hugging him, consoling him, and offering him words of encouragement.
"We share in your disappointment, but you know we love you, are proud of you, and that we are all behind you," said Minister Simpson Miller.
That was great Madam Minister. It was a wonderful gesture, and who to tell, because of that hug, because of those words of encouragement, this young, immensely talented Jamaican may be motivated more than ever before to go for greatness and to fulfil his dream in Beijing.
