THE EDITOR, Madam:
ALLOWING MERLENE Ottey the dignity of representing her country in the 2000 Sydney Olympics is not a show of favouritism or special treatment, it is out of respect for one of Jamaica's greatest ever athletes and role models, who has earned the right to such consideration by the way she has represented her country so well over many years.
Miss Ottey's case is so unlike much of the undeserved/unearned favouritism/nepotism which exists in our country where who you know can be so important to the role you play in life in Jamaica. She has truly earned such a right by her hard work and dedication.
In selecting Miss Ottey, the JAAA is not even breaking any rules. That added to the fact that events had conspired to deprive Miss Ottey of the necessary opportunity to train and be in form for the Jamaican Olympic trials. It is widely seen that she is truly in this kind of form now and is streets ahead of her rivals.
I really look forward to be seeing Merlene once again representing Jamaica at the Olympics. The younger ladies time will come.
I am etc.,
RENE WILLIAMSON
E-mail:
rgw27@pantheon.yale.edu
Yale University
Via Go-Jamaica
