Caribbean Olympics Coverage 2008 Blog

As 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

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.

Two point seven million people. That’s how many people live in Jamaica. Two point seven million people.

And if it was not for a incompleted relay pass in Beijing, this little country would have won seven gold medals and in doing so finised atop the track and field table of these the 29th Olympiad held in Beijing, China.

With six gold medals, Jamaica will be topped by the United States after they complete expected victories in the men’s and women’s mile relays to finish with seven gold. They will have topped track and field table but only just.

But regardless of the accomplishments of the United States, a country of 300 million, and Russia, a country of tens of millions,  this little island was unchallenged in the sprints – 5-0 over the usually dominant US, and the Russains only won the women’s sprint relay because Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart muffed a baton pass while under no pressure whatsoever.

Sherone was metres ahead of the field but Stewart, perhaps a little to eager to cement Jamaica’s dominance in the sprints at these Games, took off a little to early and the pass was not made.

Veronica Campbell squatted on her haunches, a picture of dejection as Russia sped away to win in 42.31s, a time the Jamaicans could have run in their sleep.

But these things happen for a reason. A balance was needed. Jamaica was too dominant and the incomplete pass was a way of bringing us back down to earth. If only for a moment.

Because, at these Games there is no stopping Jamaica’s newest sprint king Usain Bolt.

Bolt, Lightning Bolt has another world record to his name but this time he shared it with Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter. Together they shattered the 15-year-old world record held by the United States by a whopping three tenths of a second to win Jamaica’s sixth gold medal in 37.10s

Trinidad was almost a full second behind in second place. Japan was third.

So dominant was Bolt that he actually ran behind Powell, who scorched the anchor leg and crossed the finish line third just behind the Trinidadians.

There is no question that these games belonged to Usain Bolt – three races, three wins, three world records – a feat never before accomplished.

But then it comes as no surprise, Bolt is miles ahead of his competition. Miles ahead of this planet.

9.69s in the 100m; 19.30s in the 200m; 37.10s 4×100m relay is just mind numbing. There are really no words to describe his accomplishments that will live forever in the memory of the billions who witnessed them.

The legendary 400 metre hurdler Edwin Moses, who ran undefeated in his event for 10 years, said athletes like Bolt come along once every five or six generations. How lucky are we as a nation that he was born here in Jamaica?

But, it was not all about Bolt.

Shelly Ann Fraser, Veronica Campbell, Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Shericka Williams, Danny McFarlane, Markino Buckley, Asafa Powell, Isa Phillips, Maurice Wignall, Michael Frater, and all the others did their part in making this Jamaica’s most memorable Games yet.

In the future, people will speak about Jamaica’s performance at these Games with the same reverence they talk about the exploits of McKenley, Rhoden, Wint and Laing in ‘48.

So good has it been, we should all consider ourselves lucky to have witnessed it.