By Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterSIXTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD
Icilda Powell watched proudly yesterday as her youngest child, Danny McFarlane, sent Jamaica to the medal podium once again, by finishing second in the men's 400 metre hurdles finals at the Athens Olympics in Greece.
"I am so happy, I can't tell you how much. It more than I can explain. The joy is just overflowing in my heart," said Ms. Powell who was at a loss for words. Unlike many Jamaicans who were on the edge of their seats, Ms. Powell said she was not worried about whether her son would medal, as she knew that what God had for her son, must be for him and not another.
"I told them all things are in the Lord's hands and whatsoever we do we have to give Him thanks, even if he did not get a medal," she said.
PANDEMONIUM
Yvonne McFarlane-Rodney, Danny's older sister, told The Gleaner that it was pandemonium at her mother's house in Liguanea, St. Andrew where the family gathered to watch the race, after her brother valiantly took home the silver medal.
"I am ecstatic because he is my baby brother because the switch that he has made has paid off for him, as he really trained hard,' she said. Up to two years ago McFarlane ran the flat 400m for Jamaica.
Mrs. McFarlane-Rodney said there was great jubilation in the Kingston 6 area, as friends of the family kept coming over and calling to congratulate them. "It was an awesome feeling," she said.
Even the younger branches of Danny's family tree swayed in the merry wind brought on by his silver medal run. "I feel very great. I am actually very happy for him. I knew that in the end he would eventually get a place in the finals," said Donald Rodney, Danny's nephew.
Young Rodney, 12, said although he was praying that his uncle would have copped the gold medal, he still got his prayers' worth. "I don't feel anyway. I am glad he at least got something," he said.
