He's still our boy
Published:Monday | August 29, 2011 | 12:00 AM
- Sherwood Content stands behind Bolt
Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Despite the disappointment of their hometown hero Usain Bolt's failure to defend his 100m title at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, yesterday, residents in Sherwood Content, Trelawny, are confident that he will come good in the 200m and 4x100m events.
Bolt, the world's fastest sprinter, was disqualified for a false start in the men's final at Daegu Stadium yesterday - a race eventually won by compatriot Yohan Blake in a time of 9.92 seconds.
"I expected him to bolt out of the block and flash like a lightning down to the finish line, but it just did not happen. Better luck next time," said Lillian Bolt, aunt of the star athlete, who was up from 3 a.m.
"When I saw the false start, I could only say, 'Oh, my God'," she recalled.
Lillian believes that of Bolt's parents - Wellesley and Jennifer - who are both in Daegu, his father is likely to take the disqualification the hardest.
"My brother would be the one to be more disappointed; his mother normally remains calm and reassuring."
As for her nephew's prospects in the 200 metres, she stated emphatically: "That's his!"
Revise rule
Family friend Kingsley Titer told The Gleaner that the false-start rule needs to be revised.
"Not because it happened to Usain, (but) this rule from day one was criticised in every quarters in the world, I am sure it will be changed now," he said.
"Especially after witnessing half the stadium walk out after seeing the sport's most marketable personality disqualified because of it."
Unlike his exploits in 2008 and 2009, which saw him becoming a three-time World and Olympic gold medallist, which included five world records and mass celebrations in the streets of Sherwood Content, the community was void of activities when the news team went there.
"Don't worry, is our boy same way," a grey-bearded man shouted from his veranda. "Look how him a go mash dem down in the 200 and (4x100) relay."
According to Salome Dawkins Scott, an 81-year-old senior citizen from the community, the disappointment will "spur" Usain on to bigger and better things.
"All we can do at this time is pray for him," she said.