Photo by Noel Thompson
Lynden Frater, father of Olympic sprinter Michael Frater, says the athletic achievements of his son have gone unrecognised.

Noel Thompson, Sunday Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

LYNDEN FRATER, father of Michael Frater, who is part of the Jamaican Olympic sprint team in Beijing, China, is peeved that his son is not being recognised for his sterling performance for Jamaica.

Frater Sr spoke to The Sunday Gleaner in Ulster Spring, Trelawny - his son's hometown - on Friday, following Michael's participation in the Men's 4x100- metre race at the 29th Olympiad, which the Jamaican team won in record-breaking time.

"He and other Jamaicans have represented the country in the World Youth Championships, the Carifta Games, World Junior, the Pan American Games, and many others, where he won a number of medals, including gold. Somehow, Jamaica at large has not really recognised what he has done for the country," remarked the elder Frater.

Injury

He believes that Michael's non-aggressive attitude might have contributed to his not being regularly in the public spotlight. He pointed to Michael's injury prior to the World Championships in Japan last year, for which he did not qualify, but was invited to run the 4x100-metre relay.

"Michael told me when he got there, he could not even enter the facility and had to borrow Asafa Powell's pass," related Lynden. "He is peeved about it and says whatever happens, he will never forget it and will always remember how they were treated by (team official) Donald Quarrie."

The elder Frater said he was not sure what could reshape the situation for Michael to get his just recognition. "People are judged by their performance. I don't know if anything can be done. His dream was always to win the Olympics, which is the ultimate prize, but with Usain Bolt in the picture, I don't think he will get there," the elder Frater reasons.

He was very caught up in organising delegates for the Portia Simpson Miller campaign when The Sunday Gleaner visited him on Friday. As the organiser for the People's National Party Southern Trelawny delegates, Frater Sr said rallying the delegates was even more important to him than watching the 4x100 relay, which son Michael helped Jamaica to win.