D.K. Duncan FOR MOST of the 17 days of the recently concluded Olympic Games, the overwhelming majority of the Jamaican population at home, and abroad, experienced another period filled with a sense of pride. Just over 50 Jamaican women and men in the fields of swimming, shooting, badminton and athletics engaged our attention, raised expectations, lifted battered spirits and reminded us of the notion of excellence.
Ably supported by dedicated coaches and other officials, Jamaica's participants more than held their own among the 10,000 plus athletes and over 5,000 officials from 202 countries in Athens. Some would argue that Jamaica's ranking of 34 out of 75 countries which won medals represents more than just holding one's own. Others would assert that a country of 2.7 million people achieving a seventh ranking among all countries participating in track and field is nothing short of outstanding. The high percentage of Jamaicans reaching the semi-finals and finals of their respective events is sufficient justification for this pride.
SETTING GOALS
Top Jamaican athlete Veronica Campbell telegraphed her priorities after her bronze medal success in the 100 metres. Proclaiming her desire to hear the Jamaican National Anthem played at the Games, she carried our entire nation with her to the podium when she received the gold in her main event. Declaring a vision, setting a goal and moving resolutely to its accomplishment ought to be one, if not the main reason for the tremendous welcome awaiting her return to the land of her birth.
COMMON GOALS
Although not winning an individual medal, Aleen Bailey displayed to the entire world the kind of leadership that can move people to strive for excellence. Leading by example she took the bronze medallist Veronica by the hand, parading confidently before the world as they mentally prepared for the coup-de-grace the sprint relay. Totally focused, she led the 4x100 team of four talented Jamaican women from the third leg. This time around she securely placed the baton with both hands into that of the inspired but unsuspecting Veronica. Aleen stood with Veronica, Sherone Simpson and Tayna Lawrence as Gold medallists listening to the Jamaican National Anthem being played for the second time at the Games. Post-relay interviews revealed the unity, shared aspirations and a common goal of the team. Despite two less than perfect baton changes Jamaicans will no doubt reflect on these qualities as they welcome the relay team including Beverly McDonald back to Jamaica "land we love".
The sheer courage of Danny McFarlane might not have been on display if he had not made deliberate choices. With the Olympics two years away, the Jamaican athlete switched events. He not only had the idea but he operationalised it. He accepted the challenge of Norman Manley who in the early forties observed that Jamaicans did not lack ideas but instead lacked "fixity of purpose and continuity of effort". Danny displayed these qualities during his two-year journey culminating in the silver medal in the four hundred hurdles. Clearly some more attributes for Jamaicans to bear in mind as they welcome Danny and his three colleagues who reached the finals of the 400 flat.
LOOKING FORWARD
No 'agony of defeat' was evident in the public faces of Maurice Wignall, James Beckford or Trecia Smith. As agonisingly close as Long Jumper Beckford's one centimetre defeat behind the bronze medallist was, he was looking forward, not backward. Hurdler Maurice Wignall maintained his consistent cool despite being just a hundredth of a second behind Cuban champion Garcia. Trecia's 12cm loss of bronze in the triple jump completed efforts that could have easily resulted in medals.
The misfortune in the men's 400m relay seemed to have provided more impetus for the women's equivalent where they won the bronze bringing Jamaica's medal tally to five contributing to a tremendous sense of pride across the Jamaican diaspora. One love. One heart.
A dental surgeon, Dr. D.K. Duncan is a former Cabinet Minister and general secretary in the PNP administration of the 1970s.
