THE EDITOR, SIR:
"NO QUESTION, the sprint stars of the Athens Olympics were the Jamaicans". I quote the exact words of one American television commentator as the women of Jamaica flew to a thrilling victory in the 4x100m relay. This, after lamenting the demise of the U.S. team and replaying what was an exhilarating run by the Jamaicans, not only on the final leg of the relay but on the back stretch which saw Sherone Simpson gain significant ground on U.S. sprint 'star' Marion Jones.
Those words were like music to the ears of many proud Jamaicans watching the Olympics within the United States. There were times when I felt almost left out because, like any other territory, the U.S. commentators lavished attention only on the American athletes, paying almost little or no attention to the Jamaicans, their main competition in the track and field events. Even the 200m saw the focus being on Alyson Felix while other commentators on the Internet and in newspaper articles listed Jamaica's Veronica Campbell as being the favourite.
Therefore, to hear the reporter come out and say that the "Jamaicans were the sprint stars of the Athens Olympics", I felt uplifted.
I must also admit that to see Merlene Ottey, a Jamaican, in the 100m was also a nice feeling. Our men did their wonders too and I am extremely proud of them. Despite the violence and the economic problems plaguing our beautiful island, moments like these make those of us living elsewhere very, very proud.
I am, etc.,
ANYA ELLIOTT-ROCHESTER
anyaelliott@yahoo.co.uk
