The reaction of some Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora to the participation, or lack thereof, of Jamaican athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics, gives meaning to the phrase, “Too much of a good thing is not good.”
Before the outstanding performances of athletes like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Jamaicans would erupt in grand celebration if even one athlete won an Olympic gold medal. But since 2008, with Jamaican athletes winning multiple gold medals, especially in track and field sprint events, Jamaicans have come to expect such outstanding performances at each Olympics.
There are young Jamaicans under 25 who have never seen a Jamaican man or woman fail to win a gold medal in sprint events at an Olympic game. So, for these youngsters and other Jamaicans, not having a Jamaican medal in the women’s 100 meters or having an athlete competing in the men’s and women’s 200 meters finals is painful and unacceptable.
Several comments on social media following the withdrawal of Fraser-Pryce from the women’s 100m semifinals, and Shericka Jackson from the 200 meters heats were bizarre. Even more bizarre were the comments when teenager Tia Clayton, who seemed poised to medal in the women’s 100m finals, finished out of contention, and Oblique Seville, who looked very good winning his semifinal in the men’s 100m, also failed to medal.
While the frustration of people who may have enjoyed “too much of a good thing” from the victories of Jamaican athletes since 2008 can be understood, the vile comments reacting to usually outstanding athletes because of injuries cannot be tolerated. Outstanding athletes who often win medals in international meets are not machines. They are humans who work exceptionally hard and make major sacrifices to achieve the success they bring to themselves and their countries.
As talented as Usain Bolt was, he didn’t just show up without tough training and preparation to win Olympic and World records. Fraser-Pryce’s achievements are enduringly extraordinary. She made her fifth consecutive Olympic appearance in Paris. She excelled in her four prior appearances and looked like she would again, even at age 37, when she won her 100m heats in Paris. But she was foiled by an injury to her foot. Shericka Jackson has been a force to reckon with in the 100 and 200 meters for the past six years, and despite an apparent leg injury, she was still determined to run at the Paris Olympics, but the injury just didn’t allow her to. Seville also succumbed to an old injury during the men’s 100m finals.
It’s pitiful and painful the way some fans criticized Fraser-Pryce and Jackson for not being able to compete. It’s shameful how short the memories of some people are, the same people who were ecstatic when these women won gold for Jamaica. It’s pitiful some people seem to lack basic compassion and understanding.
It must be appreciated that the participation of Jamaican athletes at major international track and field meets has extended significantly. Gone are the days when Jamaicans’ participation was limited to the 100, 200, and 400-meter individual events, and 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays. In Paris, Jamaicans are competing in many other events including women’s 800m, women’s 1500m, and field events like men’s and women’s shot put and discus. Jamaicans were and are scheduled to participate every day in track and field events in the Paris Olympics.
Most of these athletes are very young and inexperienced but are very brave, ambitious, and determined to bring glory to their country even if their effort is not strong enough to push them to an event final. It’s important to encourage these athletes. Although they may be frowned on because they didn’t earn a medal in Paris, they have the potential to be outstanding world beaters four years from now and should be encouraged.
Neither should any semblance of ingratitude be shown to those veteran athletes who brought glory to Jamaica, but who can no longer compete at high levels. These athletes should always be hailed for their achievements.
Meanwhile, while some Jamaicans are agonizing over not having the usual parade of athletes winning medals this year, track and field fans in other Caribbean nations are elated at the performance of their athletes in Paris. Congratulations to St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred for winning gold and silver in the women’s 100m and 200m respectively; Dominica’s Thea Lafond for winning gold in the women’s triple jump; and St. Vincent’s Shafiqua Maloney for impressing in the women’s 800m finals, just missing a medal by finishing fourth.
At the time of writing, several Jamaican and other Caribbean athletes are down to compete in more events in Paris. Some of these athletes are expected to keep the flags of the Caribbean flying high as they win more medals. These athletes and every athlete performing at the Paris Olympics must be praised and commended for their efforts.
