US-based Jamaican bringing ‘Champs’ vibes to Oregon
Published:Saturday | July 16, 2022 | 12:09 AM
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EUGENE, Oregon: Missing the first World Athletics Championships held in the United States was not an option for Jamaican Oystian Sinclair, who says he intends to bring the same intense atmosphere to Oregon similar to the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and...
EUGENE, Oregon:
Missing the first World Athletics Championships held in the United States was not an option for Jamaican Oystian Sinclair, who says he intends to bring the same intense atmosphere to Oregon similar to the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs).
Sinclair was born in Alligator Pond, Manchester, but has been living in Seattle, Washington, just a few hours from Eugene. Experiencing the World Athletics Championships for the first time was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, one that he is proud of.
“It is my very first World Championships. I was planning years in advance since it was awarded to the United States. I am happy to be here representing my home country,” Sinclair told The Gleaner.
With the Jamaican flag draped like a cape and vuvuzela horns in hand, Sinclair was adamant about recreating the energetic atmosphere that is seen at the National Stadium at Champs during yesterday’s morning session, even in the face of raised eyebrows and attempts to deter him.
“When we were doing the 4x400 metres mixed relays and I was yelling to Demish (Gaye) to stay calm and do your job and I got my vuvuzela in the place, this man turned around and said ‘Can you keep it quiet’. I’m like I know he did not say that,” Sinclair said “So my friend and I blew the horns even louder!”
“I am bringing the Champs vibe. I am bringing it here. This is the closest it has ever been to Jamaica and I will ensure that I play my part in representing that particular vibes. This is only day one morning session, wait until the 100m finals.”
With the Americans having the luxury of being at home, Sinclair says that it is crucial for the Jamaican athletes to feel their presence at Hayward Field.
“That is the most important part, that we come and support and bring that atmosphere to make our athletes feel like they are at home. We may not be at home but we want them to feel like they are at home. And it is up to us the spectators to do that and I am going to play my part,” Sinclair said. “The mere fact that this is so close to home and we are going to have a lot more support in the stands, you expect nothing but fantastic stuff.”
Sinclair is hoping that his energy can power Jamaica to a double-digit haul this year with his ultimate dream of seeing Jamaica breaking the 4x100m women’s world record with the same team of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson Herah, Shericka Jackson and Briana Williams.
“We missed it last year because of COVID-19 and them not being able to practise their baton passing. If they get it right with the same order they had last year, the world record is going,” Sinclair said.