Conduct enquiry into lacklustre performance at Olympics

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Paris Olympics - most Jamaicans like me watched the Games with the weight of disappointment from unfulfilled expectations. Jamaica has no shortage of exceptional track and field athletes and coaches. Going into these Games, our athletes showed tremendous potential, they had what it takes to win a medal. But, unfortunately, many of our athletes did not perform. There is a lot of speculation as to the reasons for this lacklustre performance in the Olympics It is imperative that the government makes it a priority to investigate, understand the reasons behind the at sub-par performances, and do a course correction.

Track and field is the cornerstone sport of the Olympic Games. The international Olympic Committee, the host country, television broadcasters, spectator attendance statistics, all acknowledge this fact. Track and field is the most prominent sport on the biggest sporting event in the world, and Jamaica gets to show its most talented athletes once every four years.

Our talented athletes compete regularly at NCAA events, Diamond League events, and every few years at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, but there is not any audience as large as the Olympics. At the Olympics, they are the ambassadors of Jamaica.

They are selected for this role by being the best in their event after years of hard work, and we look forward to seeing them perform at their best in front of the world, wearing the black, green and gold.

It is disappointing to see so many of our sporting ambassadors crying out in frustration over a common theme being a lack of administrative support. Our incredible coaches are voicing the same concerns. We all know that saying “where there is smoke, there is fire” and there has been, for many years, a lot of smoke.

We have four years until the next Olympics and the prime minister and the minister of sport should launch an immediate inquiry into what exactly is going on to make so many of our elite athletes and coaches feel unsupported by the sporting administrations. The findings of this inquiry should be made public alongside recommendations on the organisational culture and management infrastructure changes that will be made to ensure that our athletes are equipped to compete at their best, on the greatest stage, without the distraction of feeling unsupported by the JAAA and JOC.

I believe that the majority of Jamaicans share this view and I hope that the government will address this as a matter of priority.

GARFIELD WRIGHT