With the entire Caribbean now celebrating the achievements of their athletes at the Olympics, Jamaica has firmly established itself as the sprint factory of the world. During Usain Bolt’s devastating run in the 100m finals, I sat watching the race in complete bewilderment, before I could shout the race was over. It was a race of the highest quality; without doubt the best ever run. The race was not even close, the gap of several feet between the lanky Bolt and the rest of the field was just unbelievable. To my amazement Bolt, who I expected to have been pushed all the way, started banging his chest from 70 yards out. For those who said he was boasting I say “Lef di youth alone.”

Bolt was caught up in the moment and for those few minutes he was the centre of the world’s attention. After the race, he did more to market Jamaica than has been done in the last five years, his image has now become the face of Jamaica and the Minister of Tourism would be best advised to capitalize on this positive spinoff. Bolt’s 41 strides in 9.69 seconds and his chest beating celebration have not gone down well with the Americans, but we know is bad mind dem bad mind. His gyrating to the “nuh linga” has brought dancehall and reggae music to the world. There has not been a 100 metres World Record Holder in the last 20 years who have been so tall. With his long legs, Bolt has been able to cover more ground much to the dismay of his opponents.

Asafa Powell
Whilst we bask in the glory of Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser and others, we must pause to recognize Asafa Powell. Even though he flopped again, he just doesn’t seem to have what it takes to win at these major championships. In all fairness to him he must feel crushed and I believe his coach needs to take much of the blame for this. The cass-cass with the JAAA before and during the game caused much distraction to Powell. A psychologist should have been brought in to condition Asafa’s mindset. If I were guiding him I would advise him to find a new coach. Glen Mills isn’t too far away I must add. It would be a difficult choice seeing where they are coming from but Powell won’t go any further in my opinion under Coach Francis’ watch.

Shelly-Ann Fraser
What can I say about her? She came, she saw, and she conquered. This little girl from Waterhouse performed consistently throughout the rounds and held her head high to walk away 100 metres Olympic champion ahead of a full field. Fraser after her surprise placing at the national trials, had a slight drop in form. Many were expecting the JAAA to drop her in favour of the in-form Veronica Campbell-Brown, this didn’t materialize and the rest as they say, is history. She justified her placing and the precedent has now being set that every athlete, no matter how well they are performing, will have to come to the national trials and deliver the goods. The fact that Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart tied for second place is even more interesting. The Americans tried a thing at the end of the race, protesting a false start by their own athlete. That was a joke which was rightfully tossed through the window. The playing field is now level, gone are the days when Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson, Juliet Cuthbert and others were chasing juiced up athletes. It is obvious to all watching that since the fight against drugs-cheat has being stepped up, times for some top athletes have dropped. They are going to test us from now into next year, but the yam, dasheen and banana will be the only thing they will find. I hope the government of Jamaica gives our athletes meaningful gifts when they return home, and invest more heavily in their training programmes. The proof is in the pudding and we are eating it now.