Devon Dick

The recent Beijing Olympics had many memorable moments, but there are a few that will linger. Pride of place would go to Usain Bolt. His rituals were meaningful, exciting and memorable. At the beginning of each race he humbly made the sign of the cross, indicative of his recognition that his ability comes from God.

And then after the victories - the dance, the celebrations, engaging the pull back phase of sling shot, the hand movement during the 100m race reminiscent of when he broke the record in the Class 1 400m at Boys Champs. He also exhales all the emotions by hitting his chest, an action similar to that of the female Cuban javelin thrower. And to top it all, he sings the words of our national anthem. He is patriotic and 100 per cent Jamaican.

Then there was the spontaneous, irrepressible 'jumping up' of the women's 100m Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser after her race. This was uninhibited, innocent expressions of unspeakable joy. Melaine Walker, 400m hurdles champion did something different at the medal ceremony. She jumped up or hurdled up to the podium to collect her medal. Also, she ran a very intelligent race.

So smooth

I believe that Asafa Powell's anchor leg in the 4x100m was the fastest leg in history. But apart from the speed, he seemed to have executed perfectly. He was so smooth he appeared from the side on view to be floating.

Veronica Campbell-Brown's execution also was pleasing to the eyes.

In addition, it was a touching moment when Brigitte Foster-Hylton went to a competitor who fell in the 100m hurdles race and comforted her. She was not aware that the mike was open and she told her that she feels her pain. Equally touching was to see Wally Spearmon of the USA, after been defeated by Usain, hoisting Bolt into the air. It showed great sportsmanship by Spearmon and also that Bolt is loved by his competitors. In addition, it flies in the face of people who pretend that all Americans are arrogant. But the most sporting was the 91,000 people in the Bird's Nest singing not once but twice 'Happy Birthday' to the sprinting sensation Bolt.

Perhaps some of the wildest celebration came from persons who did not come first. Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago was beside himself when he got the silver medal in the 100m. And a female runner from Bahrain celebrated for winning the second round of the 200m. She did not even make it to the final but for her, that was a great achievement worth celebrating.

Michael Phelps showed great determination in winning eight gold medals in swimming. He attempted last time in Athens and failed but did it this time.

In my July 15 article entitled 'Bolt for four gold medals' I said Bolt should attempt four gold medals.

Surest gold medal

I said, "The 200m is the surest gold medal for Bolt ... The 4x100m relay has the potential to be another gold medal for Bolt with a possible world record to boot. Can you imagine Bolt winning the 100m and the 4x100m in world record times? He would be regarded as one of the greats such as Americans Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis and Jamaican Herb McKenley".

Although I did not foresee him breaking the 200m world record, (and he said that he would attempt it in two years' time) I saw that he was a special athlete who would do something special at the Olympics - winning three gold medals with two world records, rising to be in the company of Owens, Lewis and Herb. I am happy the he surpassed my expectations. That he got three world records in winning three gold medals and won in such a dominant fashion, means that Bolt has no equal in world sprinting now or ever. That is truly memorable and a special moment that will linger.

Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of Rebellion to Riot: The church in nation building. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.