Tony Becca
JAMAICA'S SPORTING history is rich with great performers and today the country says many thanks to two of them - a man and a woman, to Don Quarrie and Merlene Ottey who, to many a Jamaican and others around the world, are arguably the greatest of all.
Over the years, and starting with George Headley, Jamaica have produced champions like Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint and George Rhoden, Alfred Valentine, Collie Smith, Lawrence Rowe, Jeffrey Dujon, Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh, Lindy Delapenha and Michael McCallum, Deon Hemmings, Veronica Campbell and Trecia Smith, and also Quarrie and Ottey - the king and queen of their time and undoubtedly among the best of all time.
THE DON
An Olympian at age 18, Quarrie, who was injured during his first two Olympic Games, won the silver medal in the 100 metres and the gold in the 200 in 1976, the bronze medal in the 200 in 1980, and the silver in the 4x100 relay in 1984.
On top of that, the man who won a gold medal in his third Olympic Games and who won a medal in his third, fourth and fifth appearances, also won the 100 and 200 metres at the Commonwealth Games in 1970, won them again in 1974, won the gold in the 100 again in 1978, and only missed the double three times in a row when he was forced to pull out of the 200 final due to cramps.
The Don, who set a new 200m record of 19.8 in 1971 and who tied the 100m record of 9.9 in 1976, was also the world record holder in both the 100 and the 200.
An Olympian at age 20, Ottey won eight Olympic medals - including three silver medals, 14 World Championships medals - including three gold medals, her Olympic haul represents the best by any female athlete, and her World Championships tally is the most by any athlete, male or female.
On top of that, the woman who got to five 200m finals at the Olympic Games and won four medals, who won medals in the 200 at five consecutive World Championships, remains the only woman to win the 200 gold at successive World Championships.
With one gold medal and two silver medals at the Olympic Games, it is difficult, for example, to rank Quarrie above one like Wint - the tall, lanky 400 and 800 runner who boasts two gold medals, two silver medals, an Olympic record, and along with McKenley, Rhoden and Les Laing, a world record.
And despite a photo finish with Gail Devers at the Olympic Games in 1996, when it comes to ranking her as the best, the same goes for Ottey who, unlike Campbell who has won two gold medals, never won a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
BEYOND WINNING MEDALS
Ottey, however, won gold medals at the World Championships and, on top of that, greatness, sometimes, goes beyond winning gold medals.
Greatness also involves longevity and consistency and Quarrie, who was the top 200 runner in the world for a long time, who was also among the leading 100 metres runner for a long time, who appeared in five Olympic Games, and who won a medal in the last one, was the best, or among the best for a long, long time.
So, too, Ottey who, appeared in seven Olympic Games (six representing Jamaica), who won more medals at both the Olympic Games and the World Championships than any other woman, and who won medals at the Olympic Games at age 20 and age 40.
When all is said and done, Don Quarrie and Merlene Ottey are two great performers. They were not only Jamaica's best of their time, they are not only numbered among Jamaica's best off all time, and they were not only numbered among the world's best during their time.
They are also numbered among the best of all time from anywhere in the whole wide world.
That is greatness and today, for the umpteenth time, Jamaica, all Jamaica, say thanks, many thanks, to them.
By doing it in bronze, by erecting a statue in memory of Ottey's deeds, by rededicating the one in memory of Quarrie's achievements, this time, however, it will be a thank you that will last forever.
