THE EDITOR, Madam:
I WILL not at this time comment on the mess at the Olympics but instead, lament on the way in which we limit ourselves from participating in other events.
Having seen the weightlifting segment this morning on television on Saturday, I am left to wonder what is the excuse we have for not sending competitors for this event. No one can say that we are physically weak or are poorly nourished so we cannot manage to lift 197 to 200 kgs in a competition. We have several annual body-building championships, the participants of which I am sure are flexible enough to handle the rigours of this sport. It is not impossible.
If the Marion Jones can switch from the track to the basketball court and back to the track again for the Olympics, surely a body-builder who already has toned and conditioned muscles, can make the transition to weightlifting and further broaden our medal prospects.
There is also concern about the level of representation in swimming from a country completely surrounded by water. We should have at least three entrants in every swim meet at these historic games. The majority of the States in the US are land-locked. It is not natural for swimming to be anywhere near the success it has been for the Americans thus far.
Since Jamaica is known as the Caribbean Sprint Factory, it now needs to be the Swim Factory and the Weightlifting Factory as well. Excuses do not win medals, performance does.
I am etc,
C.C. HARRISON
E-mail:
ccratings@yahoo.com
Kingston 20
Via Go-Jamaica
