Mitchell Town parties with pride for Kishane
Published:Monday | August 5, 2024 | 12:12 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
The Mitchell Town community centre was abuzz with excitement as the ear-piercing sounds of vuvuzelas and the rhythmic banging of pot covers filled the air during an RJRGLEANER watch party held in honour of Olympic 100m finalist and eventual silver medallist Kishane Thompson.
Following the 100m men’s final, however, some residents expressed disappointment, citing that they believed Thompson was robbed of the gold medal, but said nonetheless, that they were proud of their native.
Despite the close finish, the community came together to celebrate Thompson’s impressive silver-medal win.
“Yuh still win gold, Kishane!” said one resident.
Thompson finished a mere .005 of a second behind the USA’s Noah Lyles, who barely grasped gold.
Oliver Haywood, Thompson’s high school coach, said he had long prophesied the sprinter’s ascension to greatness.
“I told him many years ago that he’d be here one day,” Haywood told The Gleaner.
Recalling the moment when Thompson secured his Olympic berth, Haywood said he was overcome with emotions.
“I actually cried for him,” revealed Haywood, who had the privilege of nurturing Thompson during his tenure at Garvey Maceo High in Clarendon.
The former coach was unreserved in praising Thompson, describing him as an exemplary individual - humble, courteous, and “very bright”.
Notably, he said, Thompson had declined the opportunity to assume the role of head boy at Garvey Maceo, opting instead to devote himself to his true passion: athletics.
Dennis May, a member of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association and co-founder of the Clarendon-based Jamalco Track Club, also lavished praise on Thompson, his mentee. May shared his insight with The Gleaner, revealing, “We don’t rush champions, we build them”.
He reflected on Thompson’s early days, saying, “When we got Kishane, we recognised we had someone special from as far back as high school. Very quiet guy, very humble, and highly intelligent”.
May also recalled the prophetic words of his compatriot, Neville Mighten, who, in 2019, predicted that Thompson would become one of the greatest sprinters in the history of the sport. May quoted Mighten as saying, “Kishane reminded him of the great Bob Hayes from 1964 - he was built the same and ran with that same level of power”.
Always gives his best
Decked in white shirts emblazoned with Thompson’s image and the proud declaration “9.77 – The 9th fastest man in history”, Thompson’s family turned out in force to cheer him on.
His mother, Grace Allen, beamed with delight at the impressive turnout, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the community’s tremendous support for her son.
“I am incredibly proud of my son,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
When asked about her expectations ahead of the semi-final run, Allen replied, “He always gives his best, and that’s exactly what I expect from him.”
Scean Barnswell, councillor for the Hayes division in Clarendon Southern, hailed Thompson’s achievement as a shining testament to the constituency’s potential for greatness.
“What this means for South Eastern Clarendon is that we are not all about crime and violence. We also produce the best,” said Barnswell, emphasising the area’s capacity to nurture exceptional talent.
Pearnel Charles Jr, member of parliament for Clarendon South Eastern, shared similar sentiments with The Gleaner, highlighting the profound impact of Thompson’s achievements on the youth of the rural Mitchell Town community.
“Every boy and girl will look and say, ‘If he can do it, I can do i,t too’,” Charles Jr emphasised, asserting the inspirational value of Thompson’s success.