Jamaica Excels In Helsinki

Jamaica Excels in Helsinki
Kevon Campbell

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By Kevon Campbell
August 17, 2005

Officials and two athletes from Jamaica’s delegation to the recently concluded 10th IAAF World Track and Field Championships held in Helsinki, arrived back in Jamaica yesterday to a warm reception. Jamaica claimed 8 medals at the championships, with only the United States, Russia and Ethiopia garnering more medals. Jamaican Minister of Sport Portia Simpson Miller, in welcoming the contingent, proudly acknowledged that Jamaica finished in the top 10 of three categories - third-place in the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) points standing; fourth in the medal count; and ninth in the ranking of medals
Lets place this in perspective. Of the over 200 countries entering these championships, Jamaica finished third overall. Jamaica, which is 10,991 sq km, making it slightly smaller than Connecticut, won more medals than the likes of France, Spain, Great Britain, China and Australia. It is this same Jamaica, usually no more than a dot on the world map, that was the only country to participate in all four-relay finals, medalling in all but one, where they placed fourth after a photo finish.

In the world of track and field, Jamaica has always been known as the “sprint factory”, producing greats such as Merlene Ottey and Donald Quarrie. This tradition has been upheld with the likes of World 100m record holder Asafa Powell, and Olympic 200m Champion Veronica Campbell
. What is very intriguing though, is that the title of sprint factory, though still applicable, no longer describes the gamut of track and field talent that currently exists in Jamaica. One needs to look no further but at World Triple jump champion, Trecia Smith, another Jamaican.

Many young stars have emerged to fly the Jamaican flag high. Big things are expected of 18 yr old Usain Bolt, the World Junior Record holder at 200m. Despite running out of the dreaded lane one, Bolt seemed destined for a medal in the 200m finals, but pulled up going down the straight. One is left to see how young Bolt recovers from this, and he should no doubt live up to expectations next time around.
Another young star out of Jamaica is Asafa Powell, who has yet to prove himself in a major world final despite being the 100m world record holder. Powell finished fifth at the Athens Olympics, after going into the 100m finals with the best times of that year. To add further disappointment, Powell got injured just before the World Championships, eliminating the sense of anticipation of a Justin Gatlin–Asafa Powell showdown. Of course Gatlin, born of Jamaican parents and coached by a Jamaican, went on to win the 100m finals and add the World Championship crown to his Olympic victory.

That little island just south of Cuba has achieved wonders despite its size and economic capabilities. So much is expected by the Jamaican population whenever an athlete takes the track, that disappointment in poor performances is often piercing. One is left to wonder how much better the Jamaicans could get, if proper training centres and equipment were to become widely available in Jamaica. The island is overwhelmed with talent in many areas, and their wonderful performance in Helsinki, is just a slight indication of the glut of talent that Jamaica possesses.