Celebrating Jamaica’s 2008 Olympics Gold Team
The amazing performance of Jamaica’s 2008 Olympic athletics team in Beijing has dragged me out of hibernation to make some noise here. I disappeared for my long-anticipated vacation, and vowed to lay low for a couple of weeks. I desperately needed this break.
Taking a break is one thing, I’m happy I was not foolish enough to attempt taking a break from the Olympics coverage on TV. Might I just say, it’s times like these that I miss being home for the Olympics. I was overseas in 2004 and again in 2008 and I have to get all grumpy here and say that it makes no use you try to see what’s going on with athletes around the world. If the US is not in it – well let’s say..’yuh lucky if yuh even hear bout it at all’!
The sensational Jamaican Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelley Ann Fraser has made it impossible for Jamaica to be ignored. Wat a ting!
Before the Olympics, I kept an eye on the updates in the news on the pending showdown between Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt. Only one would come away as the fastest man on earth. I love Asafa and was disappointed in his performance. But man, nothing can take away from ’Lightening Bolt.’ Not a single thing. Bolt has no equal. And the 3rd world record at the 4×100 men’s relay shows how the Jamaican’s outclassed the other athletes.
This is one of those moments when I miss, really really miss being home in Jamaica. There is nothing anywhere else in the world that can match the sense of euphoria that envelopes the nation at times like these.
Times when ‘Irie feelings’ just flow and hatred and animosity decrease. To see the smiles and pride of the faces of our people. To hear the banging of pot covers, honking of car horns, flashing of lighters…..music, laughter, jokes cyaan done! And of course we would have a response to US female sprinter Lauryn Williams for her comment. The versions of the response could not be posted here of course.
Twice denied a medal, I can understand the embarrassment and upset of Lauryn Williams. The US women’s 4×100 relay team bungled just like the men. Lauryn then declares something like - ’someone must have some voodoo dolls against the US’. Shame on Lauryn!! A Black child, of African descent making disparaging remarks to vilify ’someone’ else for the US sloppiness in their change-overs.
Since we know that ‘voodoo’ is a Haitian African derived religion, then I take it Lauryn was alluding to the Caribbean as the place from which the US demise comes. I know better, and should ignore the bitter ignorance of a disappointed athlete. But you know what? I choose not to ignore it. Some bits of ignorance need to be challenged!
Ok. So I admit that the Jamaicans are making the US sprinters look bad. But. We never bring no ‘Obeah’ to Beijing…(helping Lauryn et al get their African religious practices in the Caribbean geographically sorted). No Obeah, no steroids, no magic.
There is no magical explanation for Usain Bolt – even if he looks magical tearing up the tracks. All that is taking place is that we are finally coming into our own – putting on show Jamaican born, raised and trained athletes – MADE IN JAMAICA!! The Jamaican athletes have experienced a moment that could have been experienced many times over, and many years before.
While I will not say this is true for all US athletes, the examples of doping have been too many to ignore. One member of the congregation I am visiting expressed it this way – Jamaica’s true star quality at athletics can now be seen when you finally have a steroids free match up. Talent for talent. Technique for technique.
Too many doped up US athletes have unfairly claimed too many World Championships, and too many Olympic Gold medals. The medal and moment of glory that should have gone to the deserving runner-ups can never be regained even after the offenders have been stripped of these medals.
And this year, 2008 the track has finally been levelled!
These gifted and determined young Jamaican athletes have shown the world again, a lesson we Jamaicans too often forget. It makes up the dazzling mythology of our people. We possess a resilience that helps us rise against the odds and beat forces and challenges that are bigger than us. It is the Jamaican story. It is the Caribbean story. It is the spirit of our people.
The apostle Paul could have been writing about us when he said in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.
So “BIG-UP” my Jamaican 2008 Olympics Gold Track Team!!
Oonu Tek It To Dem an oonu nuh linga - Oonu deserve Gold!
Hoarse from screaming,
Marvia
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August 27th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes all this happen in the best month!!!
2 GOLDs on my Birthday (August 20 one day before Bolt’s). Yeah!
Still love Afasa Powell!!!
The Americans betta stay in the pool (Go Phelps!) cause the tracks too hot for them to compete!
GO JAMAICA!!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I totally agree with our month being the GOLD Month!! We sure mash up the place. Wish I was home for the celebrations although I’m sorry that Gustav spoil the festivities. Now suppose I should start wonder is who vex and send Gustav to visit us? Hahahah…
September 8th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Hmm I wonder … LOL
September 8th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Mi neva call noh name! lol
September 17th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Well Sister we just have to say congratulation t each other, because Colón also has a Gold medalist also, Irvin Saladino so we just want to pray God’s blessings up on them. A job well done and the first time Panamá has won a Gold Medal.
Chao, arivederchi.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Johnnie,
Congratulations to Colon too. I am proud of Saladino too. And I’m happy that he’s not ashamed to let the world know he is not just from Panama, but from Colon!!
Peace!
August 16th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
[...] got it and most importantly he has come into his own and he delivers it. So he’s surpassed the Olympic record 9.69 he set exactly 1 year ago on this day August 16 in the Bird’s Nest in Beijing, China. He’s shown us again, he is the real [...]