Dear Editor,

Jamaica has some of the best athletes in the world, but pleasing Jamaicans is one of the hardest things to do.

Jamaica ended fourth overall on the medals table at the just-concluded 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The athletes amassed 12 medals: three gold, five silver, and four bronze, equalling the country’s highest medal hall in the history of the championships.

The nine days of competition for the athletes would have been the climax of months of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. They would have put their bodies through rigorous exercises day and night for the land of their birth to continue to be recognised in the area of athletics. The stalwarts, such as Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint, Merlene Ottey, Dionne Hemmings, Juliet Cuthbert, Donald Quarrie, Bert Cameron, and many more, have set the bar near the clouds for those that will follow.

The beauty of the situation is that Jamaica has been blessed with world-class coaches who have continued to make our athletes a force to be reckoned with across the world. We salute the coaches who are often unknown or forgotten when the confetti comes down on the podium. They, too, should share the glory for their hard work and expertise in nurturing talents and playing their part behind the scenes to lift a nation to goose bumps.

Let us not only celebrate the podium finishers, but let us praise the efforts of those who set foot on the track or the field. It is like a recurring decimal hearing the stories of athletes who juggle nine to five jobs and training. Some are brought to the cross roads of having to choose between their jobs and representing their country.

The reality is that not every athlete will get a big payday from the sport. Hence, as a nation we should make them feel appreciated. It is sad, but Jamaicans are not the most loyal and can move from praising an athlete in one year to switching to another athlete the following year. We will criticise an athlete who won a bronze or silver and ask why didn’t he/she win the gold, and best believe we will also criticise a gold medal winner because the time was not a record. We have been so spoilt by greatness that some of our athletes are emotionally scarred and physically injured in their efforts to make Jamaicans celebrate in Half-Way-Tree square.

Our athletes are humans and we need to cut them some slack. Instead of beating them down, let us encourage them and show them love, even when they place eighth.

Athletics has done so much for Jamaica, it increases tourist arrival, it brings in revenue, and highlights the resilience of black people. I invite the leaders of this proud nation to do more for our athletes to keep them motivated, not just in words but also in deed.

Well done to all our athletes! Congratulations, you continue to make Jamaica a force to reckon with.

Hezekan Bolton

h_e_z_e@hotmail.com