Tony Becca

Asafa Powell was crowned male Athlete of the Year by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on Sunday night, and heartiest congratulations to the speedster - the first Jamaican to win the prestigious award.

Congratulations are also in order for the Jamaican-born Sanya Richards who copped the female Athlete of the Year award, and in doing so denied Sherone Simpson from becoming only the second born and bred Jamaican, behind the legendary Merlene Ottey, to walk away with that award.

What a night it would have been for Jamaica had it been Powell and Simpson as Athletes of the Year.

Richards, who left Jamaica at the tender age of 12 to reside in the United States of America, ran 48.70 seconds at the World Cup to set a new American record, she is a crack 200 and 400 metres sprinter and although it is early days yet, she is a good bet for the 200-400 double at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Powell, who was not a schoolboy star, is the fastest man on the planet. During the year, he ran 12 times below 10 seconds over the 100 metres - and all that while twice equalling the World Record of 9.77 he set last year.

In congratulating Powell, however, I must, as a Jamaican, say how proud I felt when I read what IAAF president Lamine Diack had to say about the two great sprinters.

"You both fully deserve your honour after dominating your events all season, but most importantly, you are both in your early 20s and have personalities and educational backgrounds to serve as role models to young people all over the world," said the IAAF president after announcing the winners.

A great feeling

U.S. runner Sanya Richards (left) and Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell pose with their 'Athlete of the Year' trophies during the World Athletics gala, in Monte Carlo, on Sunday. - reuters

It was great to hear those words being used to describe two great athletes - and especially so as one is a Jamaican, and the other a Jamaican residing abroad.

I do not know Richards and I hardly know Powell. Based on what I have seen of Richards on and off the track, however, and what I have seen of Powell on and off the track, and heard about him, they are two nice people.

In this day and age of arrogant sportsmen and sportswomen, of prima donnas who believe they are God's gift to their sport even before they start to perform and who believe the red carpet, by divine right, should be rolled out for them everywhere they go, they are two special people.

"It is with great pride and joy that I pay homage and congratulate the new IAAF Athlete of the Year," said Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller while congratulating the Jamaican star.

So it is with me and so should it be to all Jamaicans, at home and abroad.

Powell, and Simpson, like so many of the country's track and field athletes, like so many of the country's netballers and so many of the country's hockey players - particularly the girls , know who they are, what they are and where they wish to go - and especially so when their days on the track, on the court and on the field are over.

Although Powell is still to win an Olympic gold medal, there is one more reason why I am so proud of him.

Still in Jamaica

By staying in Jamaica, by studying in Jamaica, by training in Jamaica, by allowing himself to be trained and coached by a Jamaican, Powell has demonstrated his confidence in Jamaica and has proven beyond a doubt that just as Jamaicans can run, can bat and bowl and can dribble and kick a football, so can Jamaicans prepare Jamaicans to run, to bat, to bowl, to dribble and to kick a football.

In congratulating Powell and Simpson, we should also remember coach Stephen Francis - a Jamaican, born and bred, who has guided a Jamaican, born and bred, to become the world's fastest man and the IAAF's Athlete of the Year.