Today Jamaica had hoped to claim two easy gold medals, but tragedy struck the women’s relay team during the baton exchange between Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart who had lane violations. That did not dampen their country men’s spirit as they bolted to finish the relay in a world record time of 37.10.
Spirits High in Half Way Tree
The massive crowd in Half Way Tree was ecstatic and still had a positive word for there golden girls. Listen to this clip recorded in HWT by Power 106.
Jamaica’s men’s 4×100 relay team eased into the finals after qualifying today and saw their major rival the USA team drop their baton during the Darvis Patton to Tyson Gay exchange and the team from Trinidad finished with a 0.05 edge over Jamaica in their heat. The women also eased into the finals with a commanding lead and also saw the USA drop the baton in the Torri Edwards to Lauryn Williams exchange. Truth be told only the Jamaican team is capable of defeating themselves at this point after dominating the 100m and 200m sprint events for both men and women claiming the gold medal in all four events.
Looking to the 4×100 relay finals tomorrow arguably the most exciting event, there is speculation of two more shattered records. The men finished with a time of 38.31 without Usain Bolt who was getting some much needed rest for the finals. The women clocked in at 42.24 fast right?
Well here is the juicy part the world record for the men’s relay is 37.40 which means that team Jamaica without Usain Bolt was just 0.91 seconds away from breaking the world record and with the women’s 4×100 relay record standing at 41.37 our ladies were 0.87 away from breaking the world record. The men’s record is held by Team USA originally set in Barcelona by Michael Marsh, Leroy Burrell, Dennis Mitchell, Carl Lewis in 1992. The women’s record held by East Germany set in 1985 by Silke Gladisch, Sabine Rieger, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr.
Jamaica I would say is poised to put the ‘icing on the cake’ if all goes well with our baton exchanges then Jamaica’s name will be written in Olympic history for a long time. And the names of our champions will be freshly remembered.
If you are worried about Asafa Powell as many of you with short memories might be take a look at this clip from Osaka 2007 World Championships 4X100m Relay Final, after Bolt and Frater had a messy exchange it was Powell who cleaned up.
From the gun went off to start the race, till 19.30 seconds later when the sprint dynamo’s race ended in world record time. Usain Bolt was all business today. After a long standing 12 year record of 19.32; a seemingly unbreakable record came falling down after the Jamaican sprint phenomenon finished a blistering 0.52 seconds ahead off his closest rival Churandy Martina, of the Dutch Antilles was second in 19.82 but later disqualified for stepping on the line.
Taking in the moment
Previous record holder Michael Johnson said prior to the race “In order to run 19.30 he has to run the curve better and hold his speed for longer,” he also added “I didn’t think he would run 9.69, but I think he could have run 9.62 if he had run to the finish and tied up his shoes.” He had also said that he didn’t think his record would have been broken today but acknowledged that he would soon have to “kiss it goodbye”. Bolt was thinking sooner that later.
The sprint champion has taken a lot of criticism for the flamboyant way in which he won the 100m final, pounding his chest before he crossed the finish line, never the less Usain Bolt has set him self apart from every sprinter who has come before him by breaking the world record in the sprint double in the premier athletic event. No athlete has ever accomplished such a feat and no athlete since Carl Lewis has managed to win both events at the Olympics some 24 years ago.
He crossed the finish line glancing at a time that before today seemed impossible and raised his hands in triumph; fell to the ground arms and legs outstretched taking in the roaring applause from the capacity crowd in the Birds Nest. Taking in the moment he solidified himself in history as the fastest man who ever lived.
Inspired by her fellow Jamaican athlete and her own determination, Melanie Walker gave her country another reason to celebrate as she also devastated her competition in record time to win the gold medal in women’s 400m hurdles. Amazing!
There are moments in history when the entire world marvels at an individual with awe. An individual that propels our tentative belief in that illusive impossible dream, and make it look easy. One who dares to believe in themselves enough to command the same strength in our selves, and unite us in common joy and pride for one moment, we celebrate our heroes as one . Our tiny nation is in that moment more than a distant spec on some map, we are truly out of many one Usain Bolt or one Shelly-Ann Fraser.
But he’ll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Usain Bolt, Shelly Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson,
And Kerron Stewart,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Jamaica shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember’d;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
From St. Crispin’s Day Speech from William Shakespeare’s Henry V
I modified Sir Will’s original a little but I think he will understand.
The Olympics Champions of the past were treated like royalty because their Olympic success brought great pride and respect to their city. Winners of the events were greatly admired and were immortalized in poems and statues. I can only hope that our athletes are greeted with the honor they deserve and our country embraces them as heroes who went to battle amazing odds and came back victorious bringing with them the eyes and admiration of the world. I would like to see a huge parade and unimaginable crowds at the airport. We have to inspire others, our young dreamers to want greatness and believe in the impossible. Thank you Team Jamaica from the Gleaner Online Team, we follow you with great admiration every step of the way.
Where were you the day three Jamaicans lined the Olympics’ premier event, the men’s hundred meter finals starting line and Usain Bolt won the hundred meter with a nation on his shoulders breaking his own world record. When three amazing women from Jamaica dominated the women’s 100m meter finals and told the world bronze is not good enough to quench the true Jamaican spirit. Where were you? I want to know and how did it make you feel?
Celebrating Our Olympic Heroes
Monday, August 25th, 2008As the curtains come down on what has been for me and I am sure millions of Jamaicans and Jamaican supporters world wide; the best Olympic Games in recorded history has left us in particularly patriotic mood. Our heads are held a little higher and we feel a bit more at ease with our nationality. A warm fuzzy feeling filled us all and smiles were easier to find on every corner on every face. The Jamaican flag is known the world over as it waved high 11 times in Beijing and its colors gave splendor to the Empire State Building. The streets were paved in black, green and gold as large crowds gathered in major cities to celebrate our triumphant moment.
In my very first post I mentioned that the Olympians of the past were treated as heroes, statues were built and poems were written in their honor. I have already seen several poems written, heard songs sung and I am sure statues are coming as well. It gives me a great sense of pride to be a part of this great moment in our history and it is fitting then that I add my own poem to the list. A tribute to the great men and women who represented us exceptionally well in Beijing, we salute our heroes.
We were Heroes That day
by: Duane Anderson
We were heroes that day
Our black wrapped proudly
In green and sunshine gold
There was something special in our way
Bolder heads held far more proudly
We painted the sky, black, green and gold
We were heroes that day
The world heard our song
They basked in our joy and told,
Our story with pride all the way,
They recall our triumph, fast and strong
We paved our streets with gold
We were heroes that day
We wrote a page in history
We climbed high and rose above all
When we are remembered they will say,
Peace was bought with our glory,
And hope returned to us all
We were heroes that day
The world will never forget
Our names, our stride, our country
We were heroes that day
Surely if there were anything to regret,
that this day should ever fade from your memory
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