Kyle Macpherson/Freelance Photographer
Asafa Powell's mother, Cislyn, turns her view away from the television screen with anxiety even as father William watches the beginning of the Olympic 100-metres final race yesterday. Asafa placed fifth in the race.
Laura Redpath, Sunday Gleaner Writer
By the time Jamaicans were sleepily rising from their beds, the sun was quickly coming up on an Olympic day that was well under way, thanks to the time difference between Spanish Town and Beijing.
The Powells were up and excitedly entertaining people at their St Catherine home, sipping tea and coffee with their guests. A small television, plugged into an outlet in the garage, boomed out results from the track and field events, cameras occasionally panning a Jamaican athlete.
Bolt's face came up full frame on the television and smiles abounded as two men efficiently tied a large Jamaican flag to the gate post, marking the heart of the Olympic spirit in the Angels community.
"Tyson (Gay) cannot come in the top three! Asafa mash him down!" said Andrea Battieste, a relative of William Powell, father of Asafa.
Rushed to join guests
Cislyn Powell, Asafa's mother, rushed outside to join her guests, smiling from ear to ear and putting aside her duties as hostess and slipping into proud-mother mode.
The moment of unbridled joy passed and everyone went back to being serious. The cameramen continued to set up lights and Andrea and Cislyn offered glasses of juice on trays.
William's phone went off.
"Yeah man, a whole crowd is here. You want to talk to your mother?"
It was Donovan, the oldest son and the first track and field flag bearer of the Powell brothers.
"How is the light? I can turn it off because of the heat," William said before turning off the overhead light, while Cislyn and Andrea brought out fans as the heat took over.
Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell lined up on the track, preparing for the 100-metres final. There was a buzz as people shuffled around, searching for the perfect spot from which to watch the race.
Cislyn had barely moved from in front of the television from the previous hour.
Asafa was fully framed on the television and both he and his mother smiled at the same time.
"Jesus, me nervous," Angels Estate resident Shantel Edwards said.
Although the guests commented among themselves, their eyes remained glued to the television. Cislyn made a move to get up.
"Sit down, Mummy," everyone said.
The gun went off and Cislyn closed her eyes. Hands went up in the air and William smiled as his son pounded his way to the finish line.
Cislyn opened her eyes and lowered her head, looking down at her lap before smiling at her guests.
Usain Bolt took the gold and when the replay rolled, the crowd noticed something they had not seen before.
"The man had time to slow down and beat him chest!" Renair Benjamin, president of Angels Estate Citizens' Association shouted.
"Yes! Watch here, him beat him chest," Edwards said.
Lightning doesn't strike in one place, the television commentator said, and William clapped at this.
The Powell family smiled with each other as the youngest grandchild present, Audia, two, played with her grandfather seemingly unknowing of what she had just witnessed.
Shook her head
Everyone watched as Bolt ran around with the Jamaican flag, being photographed by fans after creating another world record. Cislyn shook her head, watching her son, for the fourth time, cross the finish line in what she thought was fourth place.
The rankings came up and it turned out Asafa actually came fifth. She gasped loudly and looked around at the room, eyes wide open.
"Fifth?" William asked. "He came fifth?"
Some people responded, "Mhmm," while others said, "Oh no!"
Cislyn emphasised how proud 'Safa' had made her family. She also said this Olympics belonged to Bolt, but she was expecting another world record from Asafa. She gave thanks for her home, saying Asafa had bought the house and there was nothing more she could ask for. She also thanked God for Bolt.
"I am going to give [Asafa] a big kiss," she said.
