Jamaica's athletes have again demonstrated the depth of the island's track and field talent with a record-breaking medal haul at the recently concluded 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan.
Under hot and humid conditions in Japan's second city, the athletes kept the national flag flying high with several medal-winning performances inside the magnificent Nagai Stadium. Our heartiest congratulations to not only the athletes but to the support staff, including the coaches and the management team headed by Ludlow Watts.
Ten medals and eighth position overall in a field of 203 countries is no mean feat for a small island nation. In addition to the very good performances which kept Jamaica among the elite in world track and field, the meet also provided excellent exposure for the island as the event was watched by thousands in Japan and millions around the world.
The leading performer was undoubtedly Veronica Campbell who won the only gold in the 100 metres and silver medals in the 200 metres and 4x100m relay. The gold medal tally could well have been more than doubled. Several athletes came very close to getting the ultimate prize. Novlene William, after a gallant run, was only caught on the line in the women's 400 metres final. But for injury to his throwing arm, Maurice Smith could have covered himself in glory by becoming the world's best allround athlete with victory in the gruelling decathlon. Then there were also near misses in the women's and men's 4x100 metres relays.
There were also disappointments. The biggest of all came in the men's 100m final where world record holder, Asafa Powell, a big favourite for the gold medal, could only manage third and a bronze.
Trecia Smith, the gold medallist in the triple jump from the last Championships in Helsinki, was slowed by injury and she limped out of the competition after the preliminary stage.
If Veronica was the overall star among Jamaica's women the standout for the men was surely Maurice Smith. He surprised many by leading on the first day and for most of the second before he fell short in the javelin event. Victory would surely have placed his performance on the same plain as that of the four legends of Helsinki - Les Laing, Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley and George Rhoden - who conquered the world in 1952 and won gold in the Olympic Games 4x400m in Finland.
It is now expected that those directly concerned, the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association and the athletes, in conjunction with the Jamaica Olympic Association, will double their efforts as they make preparations for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Three years ago in Athens, Jamaica had a very good Games, earning two gold, a silver and two bronze medals. The performances in Osaka underline the fact that the talent is there to improve on that performance. Organisation and planning will be crucial in upcoming months and it is hoped that the athletes will be given every incentive to perform at the highest level on sports biggest stage.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.
