By Linton P. Gordon
Our athletes are, as expected, doing us proud in Rio. The big man Dr. The Honourable Usain Bolt, has established himself as the greatest 100-metre runner the world has ever seen.
In winning the 100m for the third consecutive time, Mr. Bolt has achieved a feat that we might never see occur again in our lifetime. We are also celebrating the success of Miss Elaine Thompson who came along and kept the gold medal in Jamaica when Mrs. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was not up to winning it. Her achievement is best described as a “relay of success”.
By the time this article is published it is expected that Jamaica’s gold tally will be increased further. Our success in athletics continues in Rio and the world continues to respect Jamaica and to acknowledge that Jamaica, “little but tallawah” is, per capita, the most successful country at sprint events.As we celebrate our success we must always remember that the vast majority of our athletes who have placed Jamaica on the map are from the lower economic group of our citizens. We should take time out to check the background of our athletes which will confirm that most of them are from deep rural Jamaican communities or from the lower income bracket in the urban communities. It is from this category of persons that Jamaica has seen its fame established and maintained in athletics on the world scene.As we celebrate the success of our athletes we should encourage all citizens, rich and poor, to be prepared not just to celebrate our success but to assist in all and every way in making us more successful in all sporting events. In the coming days, we will see the “Waggonists” emerged. There will be politicians who will be hanging on to the jacket tails and blouse tails of the athletes and seeking to “wallow” in the success of the athletes as though they are the ones who are successful or are responsible for the success of the athletes. We should watch those carefully.The ordinary Jamaican loves our athletes. They connect with them, identify with them and feel part of them. Let us continue to celebrate with them and be prepared to laugh at the waggonists who are already emerging.
