Ahh the excitement is over and normalcy has resumed somewhat. This allows me the opportunity to catch up on some important stuff before I head off to the States next week, like bringing attention to an award I received from Babs Mountjoy. Plus it affords me some breathing space so I don't have to think too hard about my post yippee! So BabM talks about Life in the vicinity of a good time at Awalkabout's Weblog. Babs is a lawyer who lives a full and interesting life with her husband the Cabana Boy and their special kids. Their progress with autism and ADD make for informative reading. So this is the award, it is called the Arte y Pico Award. Nice, don't you think?

So onward to the five deserving blogs. If I have left you out don't feel bad. There are many good ones out there but I am constrained by the rules, lack of sleep, anxiety due to the impending hurricane Gustav and the knowledge that some of them most likely have been granted the award already etcetera:

The volume of entertaining and informative blogs is pretty astonishing. Many grab your attention from the get go while others you have to take slow. A few caught my eye because the authors just write so darn well and tackle issues that are comparable to my own interests. If you came here just by chance and think you might want to try. There are a whole host of reasons that it might be beneficial to you but don't take my word for it, just do it.

One of my friends and an ardent supporter of our own Asafa Powell called me in excitement this morning. "Mek sure yuh write 'bout Asafa yuh nuh." This of course was in response to Asafa's beautiful victory in the 4 x 100m relay, after the ignominious defeat he met in the blue riband 100m race earlier in the week. While some may not agree that it was ignominious, it was certainly heart-rending to read about his eyes brimming with tears as once again he failed his fans and countrymen by crashing to fifth place for the second time at the Olympics.

Our hearts bled for Asafa. So this morning we sent out our collective telepathic good will to him and the team. This was all the more necessary after the girls mishandled the baton in their relay and it was with some amount of tension that we waited for the almost sixty minutes for Asafa and the guys to take it home. The tension was heightened at the start as Nesta Carter, a competent runner who kept us in the running, handed over to the tiny Michael Fraser, a 100 metre finalist who turned the pressure up a notch, then he reached the lightning Bolt and our hearts lurched as we detected a tiny hitch with the handover; but we needn't have worried as once Bolt took over it seemed like victory was guaranteed. Then when we saw him reach for Asafa and mouth the words "Go Asafa" we were on fire. Asafa lit up the track with no concern for his competitors; it was him alone and the clock. He and Bolt had talked about it before and he meant to make it come true.

“It was a great thing. We stuck together all the way. We talked about it and I asked Asafa if we could do this (break the world record). After speaking to him, I had no doubt in my mind.”

For sixteen years USA held on to the world record of 37.40 secs and it was dear Asafa known for his humility and shyness who was granted and who grasped the gift of smashing it across the tape in 37.10 secs. Interestingly Bolt trailed his friend all the way down the track encouraging him to blast it to smithereens. There he was in the frame, Asafa with that look of determination and Bolt hand raised in victory. It was beautiful. But wait did anyone notice that Bolt who ran the 3rd leg crossed the finish line before the fourth leg runner from the Netherlands?
















We joined jubilantly in their celebration. Finally a gold medal for the hardworking Asafa, who even tried to do a little jig. To tell you the truth his dancing could do with some help - maybe from Bolt.

This brings me to the controversy that has surrounded Bolt and his celebratory style. So many have had so much to say, Bob Costas from NBC, Ato Boldon, Jacques Rogge to name the main detractors, but Bolt has not been hindered by the irritating buzz. It was amusing to read about Boldon's attempt to justify his criticism bearing in mind that it came on further reflection some time after his, dare we say it: spontaneous enjoyment of the race. He should have given Usain the benefit of said spontaneity instead of casting aspersions of poor sportsmanship. To Ato's credit however he has been a huge admirer of Bolt and there is every indication that he will continue to be.

Interestingly Jamaicans seemed to have been shocked by the reaction to our superstar. We understood his response to be a spontaneous expression of unbridled joy. That is just the Jamaican way. "Disrespectful" what are they talking about? It seemed incomprehensible that his actions were interpreted that way. And that brought into sharp relief the matter of cultural differences. If I may generalize, Jamaicans are not a submissive people, we express ourselves loudly. We tend to speak our mind, sing, dance, chant, create and celebrate. We love track and field, football and reggae. We love to show the world that "we likkle but we tallawah", translation - we are small but strong and our Caribbean brothers love us for it too. We have a vibe that can be found nowhere else in the world, that is felt once the wheels of any jet hits the tarmac of Jamaican soil, that was felt in the crowds that cheered in Half Way Tree, New Kingston, MoBay and in the little school house in Trelawny when Usain entered the Bird's Nest.

When Usain celebrated at about the 80 metre mark, we roared and celebrated with him. At no time did we think he was disrespecting his rivals which included our own Asafa. In case others did not know it, we knew that the race was over and it was time to party. Sure he could have run harder but he already held the record and - as we say - to rahtid, even in his exuberance he broke it again. He was just thrilled to see victory and gain glory in getting an Olympic gold and he had the whole country depending on him to do it two more times - that would mean running at least five more races - and do not forget he wanted the world record in the 200m for which he would need to run doubly hard. It is noteworthy that Shawn Crawford, one of the competitors spoke out about not feeling disrespected. Asafa himself has come out in Usain's defence. Wallace Spearman lifted him in glee. Usain said he meant no such thing. This seems to rebut the presumption of disrespect to these men. His fellow competitors like many of the spectators appeared to be infected by his gaiety.

The criticism lacks sincerity when one considers the harshness with which it has been delivered and repeated and the failure to similarly and honestly address other instances of so-called showboating. Take a look for example at the triathlete Emma Snowsill of Australia who wrapped herself in her country's flag and waved to the crowd almost 100 m before the finish line and Ato Boldon's baring his chest after victory. In neither case did they win three Olympic gold medals and three world records in the process, a monumental achievement for the little boy from Trelawny, yet they were allowed to enjoy their moment of glory with impunity.

Usain's response has been simple and fitting,

“There are no words to explain how I feel..............To me, I am a performer. I came here to perform and to help people enjoy themselves. If you don’t enjoy your job, then it makes no sense. I will not change. I will always be myself. That is my personality. It is just me having fun.The crowd looks forward to seeing me coming out. I just like to make people happy. They pay money to come and see a show.”

That Mr. Rogge and friends, does not need to involve toeing the line or minding his p's and q's by saying "jolly good ole chap". If that is your way fine, it is not ours and I say show respect to our culture and perhaps you will earn a modicum of respect too. In that regard from reports, given Rogge's restraint on other more serious issues, he lacks the moral authority to pass judgment on our radiant, speedy Jamaican. Nevertheless, Monsieur Rogge, though you are on in years, you still have time, you can learn, all you need to do to learn our ways and maybe our secret is to come to Jamaica. I'm sure you will love jerk pork, ackee and saltfish, yam, green bananas and calaloo and if you feel a little queasy we have nuff shrimp and lobster too. Welcome to Jamrock!

It was important for all of us to be watching, as this we anticipated would be not merely a world class but a one of a kind never to be seen again experience. Not only would we be seeing superhuman speed but fixity of purpose, guts and raw talent bound in one. In our family it was compulsory for our son to be watching for 2 reasons as this would demonstrate that:

1. Regardless of your background you can compete with anyone and be the best and;
   
2. Hard work and determination do yield results
   

We were not disappointed. Again we had to give it all our attention from the explosive start to that beautiful streak around the curve and then down the stretch to the finish line. Our pure Jamaican thoroughbred gave the world a show that was simply magnificent.

Down the stretch of the last 100 metres he strode with maximum velocity and power. Oh the stride, the muscle, the strength, the grace! It was just a beauty to watch, he was in a zone and so were we. We screamed as we watched him glance toward the clock and realized that he had done it, he had erased Michael Johnson's record by 2/100ths of a second. Incredibly we had no idea who had come second. Who came second was indeed the question. Bolt had once again obliterated the field, he was ahead by about 4 body lengths. AMAZING.









That had to await the replay and as it turned out also protests by USA. In the end it was Crawford and Dix who were granted 2nd and 3rd after disqualifications of Martina and Spearman. Let me add here that I wished Tyson Gay had been fit to run this race. I gather that he and Bolt are friends and Bolt missed him too.

Let us hope that Usain will continue to shine and that the naysayers (after his 100 metre win) will recognize that this is truly a gifted young boy (his 22nd birthday is tomorrow) who came to the Olympics and was greatly excited with his first ever Olympic gold medal. What sweet, sweet victory for the little boy from the country who cried when he went to his first international event. I wish him all the best.









We never thought we could take anymore but then we had another athlete in the next race. Yes we took it with glee. There was our own Melaine Walker taking home the gold in the 400 m hurdle in a race that saw victory guaranteed by sound technique. In a well measured race, Walker conserved her energy until the last few hurdles where she outclassed the field whose were simply left running on empty.

Oh Lord can we take anymore here in Jamdown? Our women gave us more reason to scream and cheer in the 100 metre final as 3 Jamaicans joined 3 Americans to test who would dominate the sprint. And the Jamaicans, the colourful, Jamaicans decked out in their unmistakable black, green and gold left the world in no doubt that they are at the top of their game. They made us so proud.

With Shelly Ann Fraser's scintillating burst from start to finish, she like Bolt left the rest of the field and the crowd to watch in awe as she left her mark as the fastest woman at the games registering a super time of 10.78 seconds. Not to be outdone, our other two Jamaican women, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart strode across the line TOGETHER at 10:98. So Jamaica will stand on the podium to receive one Gold and two Silver medals. We can hardly believe it. The men and the women have shone not only speed but class, creating wonder in the minds of many a first world athlete at the mastery of this little island in a most exciting sport.

Shelly Ann Fraser was simply fantastic. She who has been relatively unknown has blown onto the running circuit and into our living rooms like a breath of fresh air and we have embraced her with glee. Like Usain Bolt she outclassed the field by 2/10ths of a second and oh how we celebrated with her as she pumped her hands in delight.
























Interestingly Shelly Ann almost never made it to the event being under pressure to cede her place to Veronica Campbell, the world champion who failed to qualify at the national trials. The little 21 year old however proved irrefutably that she had every right to be there. Blazing from the inner city she has stormed unto the world of track and field and we were oh so glad to see her there. There is nothing more gratifying than rooting for the underdog except of course that sweet feeling of vindication when the underdog wins. Yes!

Looking forward to these three in the 4 X 100 relay.

Stunned, shocked, astonished, amazed are few of the words being bandied about to describe the reactions to the world's greatest 100m performance ever. At 7:05am Jamaica tuned in to observe our three athletes: Bolt, Powell and Frater qualify for the 100 meter finals. To add to the excitement the Netherlands Antilles (Martina) and Trinidad and Tobago (Thompson and Burns) were in the runnings. Six sons of the Caribbean were there in the final. Shockingly Tyson Gay was out, running a pedestrian 10.05 seconds. For the next 2 1/2 hours amateurs became experts, predictions were made, bets were cast, tempers flared and dramas played out. Who would win? My son and I predicted Bolt, my husband said Asafa. We said Thompson and Martina were to be watched. Could Jamaica make it one, two? Oh the stress, the excitement, the anxiety.

And this


















The others, mere mortals, huffed and puffed while this Bolt out of the blue appeared to ease into a canter. He even managed to turn sideways acknowledging the crowd.











Then those well toned and long legs strode majestically over the line as Bolt thumped his chest in victory. The gold was his, the gold was Jamaica's. We went wild.













Interestingly my man to watch Thompson, Trinidad's next Hasely Crawford thrilled and was thrilled with his second place finish. A well deserved silver.

We continued to watch in disbelief as Asafa crossed, a disappointing fifth but there was more incredulity to come as Bolt had not only won the gold, he had broken the Olympic record and in the process demolished his own world record.
















Oh Lord, welcome to Jamrock. We hooted as reggae blasted in the stands and foreigners joined our cheers. And Jamaica, little Jamaica barely stood still as the world watched.

Many West Indians were cheering this morning as under clear skies with nary a wind their men flew like rockets down the track at the bird’s nest in Beijing. One after the other Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago St. Kitts and Nevis, Bahamasand the Netherlands Antilles stamped their authority on what is undoubtedly the most explosive and exciting race in track and field, the 100 metres.

Unruffled by the inevitable false starts the gentlemen of the Caribbean did not disappoint. From the diminutive Michael Frater (5’6”) to the gigantic Usain Bolt (6’5”), all stirred within us a sense of pride and joy as from the other side of the globe we encouraged them to demonstrate to the world the real definition of speed.

Richard Thompson of Trinidad let loose like a cannonball leaving Tyson Gay with a second place finish in his heat. Asafa affectionately known to us at home as A-fasa won both rounds as he continued to convince us that he has surmounted his Achilles heel – not of the physical but the psychological. Let us hope that persists to the final. Bolt, what can we say about Bolt? In his first heat he all but walked to a dawdling 10.20 seconds leaving the stragglers in his wake. In the second round he decided to charge his batteries a bit all the while leaving us with the impression that he was out for a leisurely stroll in Beijing even pausing to say hello as he looked side to side before stepping over the finish line in a blistering 9.92 seconds.

Bolt was not the only sprinter to run sub 10 however. Both Thompson and Churandy Martina (Netherlands Antilles) ran 9.99 secs. In Martina’s case it was a personal best. This leaves us to ponder: if 3 men ran sub10 in the second round, what can we expect in the semi-final and the finals tomorrow? Will lightning strike? Is it possible that on a Saturday evening in Beijing the world will see a human being clock under 9.7 seconds? What an (A)ugust occasion that would be!

Up until now all eyes have been on three men to stand on the podium, Asafa Powell, Tyson Gay and Usain Bolt and definitely not necessarily in that order. Thompson is looking impressive however and with all those false starts anything can happen. Do we dare hope? What a tropical reggae and calypso event it would be if Gold, Silver and Bronze go to the rhythmic men from the isles in the Caribbean Sea.