THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE TIME has come for us to praise our talented women who have brought fame to themselves and to us by their outstanding achievements in the recent Olympics in Athens.

When Veronica Campbell ran and won the 200m sprint event, a little part of each Jamaican at home and abroad was on the track in Athens running with her too. Such is the consideration that binds us all as Jamaicans, because the part is representing the whole, and reciprocally the whole is involved in the part.

Now, having won the event, she knew that her glorious effort would be celebrated in a victory ceremony the following day. This should have been an occasion of sheer joy and happiness for victorious Veronica. But standing on the highest step of the podium, to receive the acclamation not only of the 72,000 spectators in the stadium, but also of Jamaicans at home and abroad as well as the 1.5 billion television audience around the world, she was overwhelmed.

The impact of the pomp and circumstance of the moment moved her to tears as the National Anthem of Jamaica was being played. I know that many of her countrymen watching the ceremony on television also felt tears in their eyes while it lasted.

Then in another few days, she returned to the podium with Tayna Lawrence, Sherone Simpson and Aleen Bailey having won the 4x100m relay. They had again placed Jamaica above all others.

We must also add the names of our women athletes who obtained the bronze for the 4x400m relay. We should all salute them as worthy members of our pantheon for the most excellent of our sportsmen and sportswomen.

I am, etc.,

S. JOHNSON

18 Grants Crescent

Spanish Town

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