It was a week when Caribbean pride and glory were shining brightly at the just concluded London Olympics.
Highlights included Jamaica’s clean sweep of the men’s 200 metres, Jamaica’s world record in the men’s 4x100m relay, Usain Bolt’s big win in the 100m, and two 19-year-olds – Grenada’s Kirani James and Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott – brought home the gold for their countries in their respective sports.
Jamaica’s ladies also did damage on the track, including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who won the women’s 100m and came second in the 200m.
Bahamas wasn’t to be left out, winning gold in the men’s 4x400m, while Bajans rallied around medal hopeful Ryan Brathwaite who clocked fifth in the men’s 110m hurdles.
It was quite a feat for all the athletes who were up against the best of the best representing countries far and wide.
Our readers were ecstatic at the news of the medals racked up by the Caribbean and shared their joy on our Facebook page as team after team, athlete after athlete romped home in top positions.
This is what some had to say.
Stacey-ann Harewood: “Congrats, Jamaica. God bless all the Caribbean athletes. You did very well and made us proud.”
Susan Archer: “Congrats. I love it. I may not be Trini but I am a proud West Indian.”
Leanne Fisher: “Nothing else to say except ‘absolutely beautiful’. Way to make Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean proud.”
JCP: “Kudos to the country of Jamaica.”
Paul M Ashby: “Simply brilliant, kudos to Trinidad too!”
Saskia Brown: “Great Job Trinidad and Tobago. Well done to our Caribbean athletes.”
Patrice Thorne: “Congrats to the Trini people. Awesome.”
Mas Man: “The Caribbean rising.”
Brigitte Adams: “Well done, Kirani and Grenada; all the Caribbean are so proud of you.”
Faith Wisdom: “I am a Bajan, I am so proud of Ryan. He was with the best in the finals.”
Cindy L Gibbs: “Congrats, Ryan, you made Barbados proud!”
Conchita Moseley: “I hope that with Brathwaite doing so well in such a competitive field of athletes more and more youngsters will be inspired by his success and his determination in reaching the finals. Hopefully in the future instead of relying on one athlete we would have a number of athletes in more than one discipline. Now is the time to make physical education compulsory in all schools starting from nursery in all disciplines, track/field, gymnastics, cycling, swimming, tennis. That way children with potential would be spotted at an early age and can be encouraged in their chosen sport. That is the way forward.”
• Carol Martindale is the Nation’s Online Editor; email carolmartindale@nationnews.com
