Devon Dick
ASAFA POWELL has astounded the sporting world. 9.77 seconds for 100 metres is fantastic!
Powell is the first Jamaican to hold the title of 'fastest man in the world', if we discount the Jamaican-born Donovan Bailey who ran for Canada. He is the fourth of as many non-Americans to hold the title of world record holder for the most exciting race in athletics - the 100 metres for men.
That the Jamaican media was not there to carry this memorable performance live was a major disappointment. Asafa Powell, after his world-leading time at the Jamaican meet had predicted that he could break the world record and yet the Jamaican media was missing. Powell had also made a prediction about beating the world record that was carried on the IAAF website and it was not deemed potentially newsworthy enough for the government media organ to be there.
BIGGEST STORY
That was the biggest international story last week. On Saturday, one of England's leading newspapers, The Daily Mirror, claimed that Asafa Powell was the performer of the week - not British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his tough talking at the EU Conference; not the announcement of the hosting of a Live8 Concert featuring African performers to support more aid to Africa. From large dailies to small community papers, it was all about Asafa.
At the European Athletics Championship, the topic of conversation was Powell. The former world long jump record holder, Jonathan Edwards, now anchorman for the games, along with his co-anchor, were drooling about the phenomenal Powell. They spoke about him holding the world at such a tender age, which implied that he has time to break it again and again and again. He is not yet at his peak. One commentator labelled him the favourite for the 100 metres at the World Championships to be held at Helsinki, the place where Jamaicans made a lasting impact at the Olympic games. They went on to claim that when he gets serious about the 200 metres then it is his for the taking, perhaps by the next Olympics. It might be a bangarang at the next Olympics between Bolt and Powell in the 200 metres. They also complimented his physique, which was not bulky like some other athletes but just well toned and carved.
Equally important is the insightful analysis by former record holder Tim Montgomery, who said that it is incredible that Powell could accomplish such a performance so early in the season. In addition, he did it with a metre and a half to spare against the rest of the competition. With better competition it could have been lower.
It is also a tremendous feeling of national pride that Powell is home-grown and home-based. So that after the record he came home and did not fly to another country. We have a true champion, the best in the world moving among us, living with us and talking to us.
GREAT MEN
Let us praise great men now. Honour Powell and his coach, Stephen Francis. Much more needs to be done to highlight the achievers in this country.
Powell is a phenomenon because he is not haughty but confident. No bragging after the race. He exuded confidence in predicting what he can do.
Paradoxically, one of his greatest moments was how he handled himself at the last World Championships when he was disqualified. While the American, Mr. Drummond, protested, including lying on the track, he was a model of decorum when he had real cause to be aggrieved. It is amazing that two persons can be disqualified for false-starting the same race when they did not have the same reaction time! But Powell has class. 'Im come affa good table. The class radiates also from his infectious style and praising the role of his parents, including the significant role his father played in his development. He also proclaimed his humble dependence on the Heavenly Father, not in a self-righteous way, but maturely proclaiming that he "can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Asafa Powell is truly amazing.
Rev Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of "Rebellion to Riot: the Church in nation building."
