THE EDITOR, Sir:LAST WEEKEND I watched the World Junior Athletic Championship on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Television from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
I was very pleased with the overall performance of the Jamaican team, but I was overly impressed with the performance of 16-year-old Usain Bolt.
For years, Jamaica has been known world over as a hotbed for track and field, primarily the sprint events, and as we all know, this little country has produced world-beaters in the likes of Herb McKenley, Donald Quarrie and Merlene Ottey, to name a few. But from all indication, it appears to me that Bolt could very well be one of the greatest sprinters that Jamaica will produce, if not the greatest of all times, barring injury or other extraneous circumstances.
Considering that the conditions for track and field were not good, because it was raining and it being a little on the cool side for someone who is not used to this kind of weather, it made his performance even more dominating. He annihilated the field, posting an impressive 20.40 seconds; a championship record, and winning by a wide margin. It makes you wonder how great this kid is already at such a tender age. He truly deserves all the accolades he has received. Even the broadcasters were left in awe. For someone this tall to run so fast truly amazes me.
Usain, you made the thousands of Jamaicans here in Canada proud. I have no doubt that you will be a world-beater at the senior level in the not-too-distant future. Keep working hard and be humble and greater things will be awaiting you.
I am, etc.,
CONROD TUCKER
conrod.tucker@sympatico.ca
Toronto Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
