Kimesha Walters, Gleaner Writer

THE CELEBRATION of Jamaica's superlative performance in Berlin continued yesterday with one religious leader urging Jamaicans to look to the athletes for inspiration.

Pastor Everett Brown, president of the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, told a massive crowd that the outstanding performance of Jamaica's athletes in Berlin reflects what the country can achieve through perseverance.

That message was repeated regularly during the thanksgiving service, which formed part of the three-day celebration of the success of the athletes at the 12th World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August

"We have to develop the will to stay the course. Some of us give up too easily, " preached Brown.

He said he was impressed by gold medallist Brigitte Foster-Hylton who stuck to her dreams, instead of giving up after a disappointing performance in the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Stay the course

"Jamaica must learn from that. We must stay the course in whatever we do so that we can reap the fruits of our labour," added Brown, much to the agreement of the congregation at the Portmore Seventh-day Adventist Church yesterday.

Brown said that the success in Berlin was due to the commitment of the athletes, and "no one should think that they did not prepare for the events".

"We cannot achieve national transformation without sacrifice and hard work," Brown said. "This society must understand that to achieve gold in Berlin, you cannot stay up all night enjoying parties."

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen joined in the moment and showered praises on the athletes. "You have brought us promise, you have demonstrated courage, you have shown us the phrase never give up, that in that phrase lies a secret of glory," he said.

kimesha.walters@gleanerjm.com