As far back as primary school, we were taught the idiom, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. It simply means to never put all your efforts and resources in one area as one could lose everything! This isn’t just a classroom lesson, but also a life lesson. And the Paris Olympics is teaching us one helluva bitter-sweet lesson.
Let's discuss! Pun intended.
Jamaica has enjoyed a good run in the sprints to the extent that some fans have become entitled, spoilt, and out of touch with reality. Quite frankly, we are looking a bit like our arch-rivals in the USA. It is foolhardy to think that our dominance would go on forever. So here we are at a crossroads in which Paris has not been kind to us; the purple track being reminiscence of a certain purple school in Jamaica which often beats and teaches at the National Stadium.
It’s August 7, 2024 and Jamaica sits on the medal table with five (5) medals, four (4) of which are from the field! They include 1 Bronze, 3 Silver, and 1 Gold! Yes, we shall sing -Jamaica...BOOM! And our flag will be raised - at last!
Roje Stona is the newly crowned Olympic Gold Medallist and Olympic Record Holder with 70m in the Men's Discus Throw! The first Jamaican man to medal (gold) in the event and the first non-European! OMG! My whole heart! Roje is also a (North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association) NACAC Under 23 Champion and Silver Medallist.
Rajindra Campbell also made history as the first Jamaican to win a Bronze Medal in the Men's Shot Put! He is also Jamaica's two-time national champion.
Shanieka Ricketts won herself a Silver Medal in the Women's Triple Jump! Ricketts is also a World Championships Silver Medallist, and Commonwealth Games Winner.
Wayne Pinnock delivered a Silver Medal in the Men's Long Jump! Pinnock is also a World Championship Silver Medallist, World Under 20 Championships Bronze Medallist, and NACAC Under 23 Championships Bronze Medallist.
Several other Jamaicans made it to the finals of field events. Excellent showing!
And, our only medal on the track thus far came from Kishane Thompson in a highly controversial men’s 100m photo finish where he was awarded a Silver Medal. A special one, because it returned Jamaica to the podium after an eight-year drought.
Interestingly, many Jamaicans have spent days pining over that loss, and the fall of sprint queens Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, among others. Injuries and other misfortunes aplenty. So much so, that it seems some fans either turned away from the Games entirely or have just been busy in the comments section quarrelling. Too busy to notice or appreciate that our long-awaited field medals were coming in hot and fast!
I saw a quote recently which said, “Remember the days you prayed for the things you have now”.
I recall the days when we could only wish for Olympic medals in the field. And despite consistently losing to the mighty USA, Jamaica continued to pump everything onto the track. Yes, it paid off eventually. But the world was watching, and they wanted a piece of it too. Now we have 100m men’s final with all eight men running below 10 seconds! The track is no walk in the park. And the USA is not our only problem. Certainly, we are going back to the drawing board after Paris, even as we extend grace to a young crop of athletes…on our way back to the top of the sprints.
Just imagine if we had continued to ignore the field and put all our eggs in one basket. Today, we would have just one medal. Still, it can be argued that much more needs to be done for athletes in the field, and it is hoped that their conquests in Paris will lead to further investments.
We haven’t forgotten the omission of hammer thrower Nayoka Clunis who did not make it to Paris, thanks to a blunder by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association JAAA.
Did you know? In the history of the Olympics, Jamaican athletes have won a total of 88 medals, with all but one medal won in athletics, and all but four of those in the individual and relay sprint events. Those four medals were won in Paris (as at August 7, 2024).
There could be more! I’m sayin’! LOL!
Jamaicans – We don’t just run. We hop, skip, jump and 'fling stone aafa mango tree'. Why not dominate the field too?
These medals should warm the broken hearts of a traditional sprint nation. American author, Iyanla Vanzant often says, "Sometimes things fall apart, so that better things can fall together".
Some day, we shall have it all...but not yet.
What a blessed little nation to be mining medals from the field at such a time as this when the track isn’t being kind to us. I lift my hat to the coaches and athletes in the field. I see you! My cheers for you are no less than they were for those on the track. And I thank you all for being frontline fighters on the ‘battlefield’ that is Paris 2024. May your success inspire the rest of our athletes. Salute!
I Am Suzette Campbell
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