Kelly

When Jamaicans are into you, they are into you!

When Usain Bolt, triple Olympic champion and world-record holder stepped out of the Virgin Atlantic aeroplane Monday afternoon, the world and his wife (plus their children, grandchildren and a few distant relatives), came out to see him.

Appropriate that a man nicknamed 'Lightning' should arrive on a day that had lots of rain. God has a sense of humour. They came out in their numbers to shake Bolt's hands, knock his fists or just to see him in person, preferably doing his archer-type pose. Many waited in the aforementioned rain (using umbrellas, scandal bags or nothing at all) to welcome Usain back home. It was great to see the outpouring of national pride, even during the downpouring of Hurricane Ike's outer bands. Of course, there were probably a few persons trying to 'borrow' Usain's cap or timepiece, or at least claim kinship.

Usain Bolt - file

The thing is though, what if at the World Championships scheduled for Berlin, Germany next year, Usain has some terrible races and not only doesn't win anything, but doesn't even make the finals? Would the same Jamaicans who were running beside the 'Bimma' on Monday, cuss him for driving the 'Bimma' promised by Puma when he returns after those events?

Funny set

Maybe, maybe not. All I know is, we are a funny set of people! Asafa was the darling after winning a share of the million-dollar Golden League prize by taking all the races for the 2006 season. But after the 2007 World Championships (finished third) and this Olympics (finished fifth,) people started saying all sorts of mean stuff like "him waan lick inna 'im big head!" After Merlene came second in the 200 metres at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, I heard a 'dark' woman say she must have received money to lose the race! Thought it would have been more profitable if she won!

Anyway, when the Reggae Boyz (remember them?) are winning, they are the darlings of the nation. The sponsors come aboard and every young man and woman who ever kicked a ball has dreams of playing professionally. The moment they lose three games in a row, 'dem caan play', 'dem waan dash wey', 'dem wutless', and 'dem no have nuh use!' West Indies cricket team? Same ting! Especially the lads from Jamrock like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Lawson.

So, I have two hopes. One is that Bolt wins until he retires, or in the event he starts to lose, we still rally behind him. Remember the true fans are the ones who are in the stands when the team stinks, and they're the ones who deserve to cheer first when things start to smell better. Later.

If you got to touch the Bimma, let me know at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.