We agree with and support the Government's plans for motorcades and cultural galas to celebrate the outstanding performance of Jamaica's athletes at the Beijing Olympics.

They are worth celebrating, not only for their stupendous runs that beat the world, but for an accomplishment that is far more profound. Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Veronica Campbell-Brown, and the others reminded us of our possibilities, even as their achievements highlighted the contradictions of our country.

So, here it is that already in Jamaica this year there have been more than 1,000 homicides, a figure that, unfortunately, is not an aberration. Indeed, Jamaica's annual murder rate is around 60 per 100,000 population, one of the highest in the world. Perhaps 80 per cent of the homicides are committed by people well under 25.

Contemporaries

Those who cause such bloodletting and mayhem, and to whom Prime Minister Golding appealed to end their embarrassment of our country and athletes, are the contemporaries of those whom we honour and celebrate. We, in that regard, do not join the cynics who might deride Mr Golding's attempt to use the image of the Beijing heroes to appeal to any existing sense of patriotism among those perceived as lost young people.

If by invoking the name of Messrs Bolt, Powell or Frater, the PM managed to deter a single would-be dysfunctional youth, his effort would have been worth it.

In that respect, we especially commend that part of the proposed celebrations that will take the athletes to schools and communities, which we expect to include many of the inner-city areas from which many of the Beijing heroes sprung. What it provides, however briefly, is for the Melaine Walkers of the track to be live testaments to what is possible with consistency of effort underpinned by support.

Such notions are not lost on our athletes. Ms Walker's message after her victory in the women's 400-metre hurdles was for an end to violence. She had risen above her circumstance; others could.

Those who lead

But while we call on our athletes to leverage their fame and youth in an effort at transformation in Jamaica, the greater part of that burden can't be theirs. The larger responsibility rests with those who lead.

Transformation demands an ethical, moral and principled leadership. It undermines the ability to leaders to motivate people to respect the law and to abide in a context of good order, if leaders preside over a process of governance that is deeply flawed and marked by systemic corruption and graft.

It is difficult for leaders to preach to young people about abiding by a system of principles when a supposed democratic contest for the leadership of a political party descends into mud-slinging rather than a battle of ideas.

So, while we want the fun and hype and dazzling stuff in celebrating our athletes, they deserve something more enduring - a commitment to decency and a leadership underpinned by principles.