Devon Dick THE ORGANISERS of the 2004 Olympics have re-written the formula for success. There were many skeptics who said Athens would not have been ready to host this greatest show on earth because construction started three years late. On a pilgrimage to Greece in 2001 after going through the new airport, I joined those who felt that Athens could not manage an Olympics. However, Athens 2004 president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and her team confounded the critics and built architectural masterpieces to host the Games. The Greeks did it their way and were successful.
Danny MacFarlane also ran his race his way, hurdled his way and was successful in obtaining a prestigious medal. Too often, persons suggest that there is only one way to success or only their way. Too often persons make it out as if there is a set formula and once applied in the right proportions then success would be guaranteed.
It was interesting to listen to former athletes describing the formula for success. One such, on the Caribbean feed, said that the Americans had put on a clinic after the USA women 4x100 relay team ran in the heats. It was a flawless display. The other commentator said that the USA had used the formula that Bahamas used to win that relay four years ago. The key was that they practised a lot.
CHEMISTRY
I joined the bandwagon and blamed the Jamaicans for coming second in the heats believing that if they had practised more like the Americans and Bahamians then they would have won. I was critical of Aleen Bailey anchoring in the heats and then Veronica Campbell anchoring in the finals. That I believed would have disturbed the chemistry of the relay team. Based on the Caribbean commentators' criticism of Aleen Bailey's running of the curve in the 200 metres I was critical of her running the third leg in the finals. If they had lost then I would have been a great analyst. But we won while the well-practised Amer-icans did not finish and the well-practised Bahamians came fourth.
Jamaica, contrary to what the commentators said, led from start to finish. Part of the formula for success is also doing what one is suited for and also deciding where one can make the best contribution. Too often athletes are like round pegs in a square hole. Danny McFarlane realised that to get an individual medal he needed to switch from 400 metres flat race to 400 metres hurdles.
The nation rejoices in the success of Veronica Campbell's golden run in the 200 metres to become the first Jamaican female sprinter to win a gold medal at the Olympics. However, can you imagine if she had done her personal best of 22:05 seconds and got the bronze medal what the reaction would be? Many persons would be critical.
One commentator bemoaned Veronica's arm movement during the heats. She said it was not the correct way and based on her comments if Veronica had not won gold then persons would have blamed the arm actions also. Because she won people are saying that the success was due to hard work, focus etc. but it should not be felt that the other athletes did not train long enough or were not as focused or did not have the desire.
IMPORTANT FACTORS
Those are important factors, but there are others that play significant roles: talent; the type of competition; the best-fit event for the individual; optimal performance at the time of the event all along with the grace of God. God has to provide the circumstances to facilitate what happened. It is a co-operation between humans and God. The God factor should not be overlooked.
In the reporting from Greece, the media concentrated on the ancient gods of Athens but the reality is that 90 per cent of the Greeks identify themselves as Christians. The Church is very influential in Greece. Danny McFarlane after gaining a silver medal gave thanks and praise to the Most High. God is the one who makes all things possible and should also be given credit for what has happened. This is not to say that it is the person who prays hardest or longest that will win.
It is really a thanksgiving to God for the talent, opportunity and support team that facilitated the triumph. Equally important is to be contented with what God has allowed especially when one has done one's best. Aleen Bailey is the epitome of that. After placing fourth in the 200 metres race she was as happy as a lark and she pulled Veronica Campbell to join in a victory lap after the race. Success is doing one's best, rejoicing in the accomplishment of others and giving thanks to God for what has happened.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: The Jamaican Church in nation-building'.
