My thoughts on…Jamaica after the Olympics
August 27th 2008 -
Jamaica, land of wood, water, and gold, according to a local vendor. Jamaica has had a lot to cheer about the past few weeks. Aside from the baton drop by the girls, Jamaica has made a clean sweep of the athletic events. making history numerous times. Many people tried to put a damper on our celebrations by accusing Bolt and company of drug use, even though so much blood was drawn from them not even a vampire could do better. I was at work when most of this happened. I was surprised to see my supervisor and other adults, decades older than me, jumping around as if they had somehow rediscovered their youth (or was that mid-life crisis finally manifesting itself). The yelps and shrieks in the building scared me, I won’t lie. I rushed downstairs only to find out a race was going on. I was actually reprimanded by my boss (not harshly of course) for why I wasn’t celebrating. Don’t get me wrong. I was overjoyed. I was very proud to be alive, to have seen such history being made in my lifetime. I’m just not the excitable type. When I went home the day of Bolt’s first gold medal, the streets were awash with black, green and gold. People and vehicles were adorned in the national colours.
The newspapers were mainly focused on the Olympics, and for once politicians and their foolishness took a back seat in the media. The criminals even seemed to put down the gun, or at least slow down the killing because of our performance in Beijing. Many people took advantage of this euphoria. Vendors stocked their stalls with flags and other symbols of national pride. Companies flooded the media with ads, trying desperately to make it seem as if they were aligned with the Olympic team, aiming to capitalize on their goodwill. I long envied Americans for their national pride, so abundant til it reached the point of arrogance, and hated Jamaicans’ inferiority complex, so it was good to see my countrymen united, bound by overwhelming pride and joy, finally realizing what we can do. Jamaicans are now holding their heads a little higher nowadays, but I’m afraid the Government won’t capitalize on this, like they did with the Reggae Boyz. They need to invest more in sports, as the world finally realises what we knew all along - Jamaica produces many great sportsmen and women, and if we tap into that greatness, not only in sports, but in many other sectors of life, we can be the great nation we are destined to be.
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- My thoughts on…9.72: Bolt’s new record
- My thoughts on…Herb McKenley’s death
- My thoughts on…Jamaica’s new "crime capital" status
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Jamsprint Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Fun times, fun times..
Four years from now, London 2012. Matthew Palmer - 110h gold medalist.
Jamsprints last blog post..Links for 2008-08-20 [Digg]
Stunner Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
It was a wonderful time for Jamaica this Olympics!
Stunners last blog post..Gustav "Eyes" Jamaica!
kami Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Simply wonderful performances.I saw a clip on RETV that really captured the mood
kamis last blog post..Gustav "Eyes" Jamaica! Update 1
Mad Bull Says:
August 29th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Land of wood, water and gold… I like that.
Mad Bulls last blog post..The Miss Cayman Pageant Finals: A Review.
Leon Says:
August 30th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Another Wolmerian on top? Let’s hope so Jamsprint. Let’s hope so.