Usain Bolt and I

There is a big party homecoming planned for Usain Bolt this Saturday at his (and mine) Alma Mater, William Knibb Memorial High in Trelawny. The all-day, all night affair will culminate in a grand live stage show that should feature Jamaica’s leading Dancehall artistes. Usain has been in the island since last week, but with his unparalleled performance in the Beijing Olympics in China, he is an unofficial National Hero.

Usain has unintentionally stolen the spotlight from the other athletes and I feel sad for all of them. Crowds lined the streets for miles in Kingston to welcome him and he was appointed Ambassador-At-Large. Ambassador Bolt truly deserves all the accolades and it couldn’t happen to a finer person. I am honored to know him personally, seeing him grow and blossoming into the greatest of the great sprinters of all time. However, unlike a lot of people, I haven’t forgotten Veronica Campbell-Brown (like Usain, she’s from Trelawny), Shelly-Ann Fraser, Melainie Walker, Keron Stewart, Sherone Simpson, Asafa Powel, Michael Frater (can’t forget him, he’s also from my parish, Trelawny).

Speaking of Trelawny, my parish has produced arguably some of the finest track & field athletes from any comparable area in the entire world. These athletes are all from within a 30 mile radius and include Usain Bolt (the world’s fastest man), Michael Frater, Omar Brown (Commonwealth 200m Champion who was taught by my brother at Albert Town High School), Veronica Campbell (World 100m and Olympic 200m Champion who is now married to Omar Brown), Marvin Anderson, who also went to William Knibb, the infamous Ben Johnson (who was a year or two ahead of me at Falmouth All-Age School ), Debbi-Ann Paris (Olympics 400m fifth place), Steve Mullings, Michael Green (also a William knibb Old Boy), Inez & Yvette Turner (Olympic 800m)to name a few. Indeed, 3 out of 4 members of Jamaica’s male 4×100m relay team for this Olympics are from this parish. However Marvin Anderson got injured and the number fell to two (Usain Bolt and Michael Frater) as he had to withdraw. It is arguable that a fit Trelawny team comprised of Usain Bolt, Michael Frater, Marvin Anderson and Omar Brown could win the gold medal at the Olympics!

Now I am learning that Rosemarie Whyte, one of our 400 meters runner is also from Trelawny along with Ricardo Chambers. 200 meters runner Christopher Williams‘ mother is reportedly also from Trelawny. We have totally overshadowed the other 13 parishes. These athletes have forced the rest of the country to respect us and have them wondering what it is about Trelawny that makes our athletes so good. People are talking about the food (yams) which are a staple here. No one knows for sure, but I think it is genetically linked. No doubt, we are truly special!

Guess what? It is only going to get better! the track programs in the local schools are now filled to capacity as everyone has been motivated by the performance of our athletes. Parents will now give their children 100% support although they have supported them well in the past, instead now every parent more passionately wants their children to do track and that augurs well for Jamaica’s future.

Blog To The World sends congratulations to all the athletes who made the Jamaican team to the Olympics, not just those who won. You all made us proud! Yu zi mi!

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