THE EDITOR, Sir:
JAMAICANS CONTINUE to baffle the rest of the world with our athletic prowess while at home, our people, most of whom never ran a race in their lives, have the audacity and temerity to criticise and ridicule our top performers. Even the armchair experts in the media have jumped onto the wagon.
In the case of young Usain Bolt, we seem to be trying very hard to destroy an amazing talent. I was not happy with Bolt's running in the semi final, but each time I watched the final, I am amazed at how well he ran the bend from Lane 1. He entered the straight with the leaders. Unfortunately he injured a muscle and had the good sense to prevent serious injury by stopping to a walk. To continue running could have done serious injury, which could have, not only ended his season, but adversely affected his running future. This could have happened to any athlete. So, why the ridicule?
The great Don Quarrie went to the Olympics as a teen in 1968. He did not win his first medal until 1976 - his third Olympics.
My only concern about Bolt and some of our other athletes is whether or not his handlers ought not to have taken him to Europe earlier to get acclimatised (the conditions in Helsinki seemed horrid for a first timer).
BETTER PERFORMANCE
I also wonder if our athletes wouldn't be better served by sending them to lesser games (CAC, Pan American, Commonwealth) to get the feel of standing on a podium with a gold medal around their necks and hearing the anthem played. Otherwise some of them could very well complete otherwise outstanding careers without ever winning a medal of any colour. The money from IAAF meets is good but to the retired sportsman and woman, the trophies and medals mean so much.
Congrats to our athletes. They have done us proud ... again
I am, etc.,
ROBERT ROBINSON
robsit@hotmail.com
1 St Lucia Avenue
Kingston 5
