JAMAICA'S WONDERFUL name in the sport arena has once again been tarnished this time before the entire world.
On Sunday night, the athletes attending the Olympic Games in Sydney staged a protest that resulted in a threat to throw Jamaica out of the Games.
The protest followed the selection of 40 year-old Merlene Ottey for the 100 metres at the expense of young Peta-Gaye Dowdie, and as embarrassing as it was, the athletes should not be blamed for this extreme action.
Team manager Winston Ulett appears to be suffering from a virulent strain of the disease that deludes people into claiming when things go wrong it is the media's fault. This was simply the response of athletes who believe that an injustice had been done to a young athlete who was sacrificed in order to satisfy the ambitions of an ageing star.
Over the years selection has been based on performance at the National Championships. At this year's event in July, Dowdie finished first, Beverly McDonald finished second, Tayna Lawrence finished third, Ottey finished fourth, and as far as the athletes are concerned, to select Ottey and omit one of the top three was unfair.
In the debate leading up to Sunday's decision, some members of the JAAA suggested there has never been a rule which states that the first three are automatically selected, and on top of that they alluded to a letter to successful athletes at this year's JAAA National Championships that selection was not automatic.
According to the letter, failure to maintain the form of the National Championships could lead to an athlete losing his or her place.
Although there is no rule, there has been a practice one so entrenched that the athletes accepted it as the norm.
The letter is neither a rule nor a practice, and the JAAA would find it difficult to convince anyone that it was not intended to clear the way for the selection of Ottey.
The blame for this embarrassing episode must be laid squarely at the feet of JAAA who allowed the problem to fester because it failed to act decisively and in the country's best interest.
The athletes feel Ottey was allowed to flex her muscles and they did not believe the JAAA should have ignored accepted practice and bowed to her demands while denying another athlete of her opportunity probably the opportunity of a life-time.
The JAAA must answer for the embarrassment in Sydney. In the meantime, however, the athletes should remember their obligation to their country, participate in the relays, and give it their best shot.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.
