Saturday, August 11, 2012

JAMAICA ADDS ATHLETICS TO ITS REGGAE HISTORY


From left to right, Warren Weir, Usain Bolt, and Yohan Blake


From left to right, Warren Weir, Usain Bolt, and Yohan Blake



Jamaica, that wonderful Island in the Caribbean, for many years has established its name as one of the best countries in the world, in regard to tourism, and above all the home of wonderful reggae music. 


Jamaica is the birthplace of great reggae stars, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs, Joseph Hill-Culture, to mention but a few.

Apart from the reggae stars, Jamaica has produced great sprinters in the past, such as Merlene Ottey, Asafa Powell, etc, yet in athletics, comparing to other great countries, Jamaica wasn't classified as a great country in sports until the emergence of an unknown sprinter, Usain Bolt. 

Usain Bolt's unique and charismatic performance, along with teammate Yohan Blake, have established firmly that Jamaica is not only good in music but also in athletics.

The 2012 Olympics games taking place in London confirms it all. After winning the 100-meter race in 19.32 seconds, Usain became the first athlete to win two Olympic medals in the event. Yohan Blake, his training partner also claimed silver in the event and bronze for Warren Weir.

There is no doubt that Jamaicans are now doing better in sports than the United States of America, which has produced great athletes in the past. 

It seems underestimation of athletes from 'third world countries' is gradually coming to an end because the Jamaican sprinters are "Coming in hot! hot! hot! and firing some shot! shot! shot!" Sings reggae legend late Peter Tosh.