This week Jamaica is on top of the world, thanks to the valiant efforts of Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Kerron Stewart, Sherone Simpson and the other Jamaican athletes at the Beijing Olympics.
Bolt stunned the world on Saturday when he rewrote the record books in a cavalier manner which left the question on everyone’s lips: How fast can Bolt really go?
A day later, before the world had time to fully digest his phenomenal 9.69 seconds run, Fraser teamed up with 
Simpson and Stewart to outclass the Americans and again spark spontaneous widespread celebrations across Jamaica and the world. Fraser created history in racing to 10.78 to become the first Jamaican woman to win the Olympic 100 metres. However, the world was further stunned when the time clock was unable to separate her colleagues for second and third – resulting in the first two silver medals being awarded in Olympic track and field.
Simpson and Stewart to outclass the Americans and again spark spontaneous widespread celebrations across Jamaica and the world. Fraser created history in racing to 10.78 to become the first Jamaican woman to win the Olympic 100 metres. However, the world was further stunned when the time clock was unable to separate her colleagues for second and third – resulting in the first two silver medals being awarded in Olympic track and field.Meanwhile, with the 200 metres men’s and women’s final, the relays and hurdles, Jamaica could see its best Olympic medal haul yet.
Since making its debut in 1948 at the London Games, before the start of the 29th Olympiad, Jamaica had won seven gold, 21 silver and 13 bronze medals in athletics at the Olympics. Arthur Wint and Herb McKenley finished 1-2 in the 400 metres at those Games. Since then, the Olympics have seen medal-winning performances on the track from a list of outstanding athletes competing for Jamaica, including Donald Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Juliet Cuthbert, Grace Jackson, Danny McFarlane, Deon Hemmings, Veronica Campbell, to name a few.
Since making its debut in 1948 at the London Games, before the start of the 29th Olympiad, Jamaica had won seven gold, 21 silver and 13 bronze medals in athletics at the Olympics. Arthur Wint and Herb McKenley finished 1-2 in the 400 metres at those Games. Since then, the Olympics have seen medal-winning performances on the track from a list of outstanding athletes competing for Jamaica, including Donald Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Juliet Cuthbert, Grace Jackson, Danny McFarlane, Deon Hemmings, Veronica Campbell, to name a few.
Once again, a little dot that is barely recognizable on the world map (4,411 square miles) with a population that is a mere fraction of the world’s great nations (2.6 million), is now on the lips of billions – thanks to the latest courageous few.
Whatever cultural art form – music, sports, fine arts, theatre, beauty pageant, modeling, you name it – Jamaicans have excelled in them all on the world stage. What is more amazing is the fact that those who have consistently continued to make Jamaica proud are from poor, humble beginnings – the bowels of Jamaica.
How did these children of poor, humble and ambitious parents make it to the top of their respective fields? How
did they overcome the odds, sometimes coming from strife-torn communities wracked by unending violence to compete at the highest level, earning for themselves the title of the world’s best?
The evidence would suggest that in addition to the impact of parents and their extended family and friends, these world-beaters have an extensive informal support system which goes a far way in fuelling their dreams.
did they overcome the odds, sometimes coming from strife-torn communities wracked by unending violence to compete at the highest level, earning for themselves the title of the world’s best?The evidence would suggest that in addition to the impact of parents and their extended family and friends, these world-beaters have an extensive informal support system which goes a far way in fuelling their dreams.
According to one psychologist, “What is very obvious about Jamaica’s true ambassadors is that the majority of them are not from the affluent, upper echelon of society, but from rural Jamaica and the inner-city communities, with a strong family support system that sacrificed and believed in their children, doing whatever it takes for them to have the opportunities to excel. Of course, coupled with the determination of the children to succeed. Proving an important factor: it doesn’t matter where you are from or what you have; only that you believe in yourself, have the support of your family and friends and believe in the power of God.
“In my 27 years in this profession I have counseled a lot of families and I have noticed that the children that are most troubled and full of anger complain that their parents never believed in them or never have time for them. And these are wealthy business persons and socialites, whose obvious interest is amassing more wealth or profiling rather than family values.”
The psychologist continued, “I’m not saying that all upper class families are like that, but most of them are. In my studies, I find more family support and togetherness among the poorer class, and the children who know what it is to struggle tend to have more determination to success and rise from the suffering.
“The mothers especially will do whatever it takes to get the best for their children, and they spent time with them.”
THE PARENTS SPEAK
Listening to the parents and family of Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Kerron Stewart, Sherone Simpson and Asafa Powell, drives home this theory.
It was tears of joy, sounds of laughter, shouting, praise and worship, music, banging and reflection all around from the families of the Olympians that span Jamaica, from Westmoreland, to Kingston, to St. Catherine. They all having one common denominator: God is the centre of their lives and this is constantly instilled in their children.
From the inner-city community of Waterhouse, St. Andrew, Shelly-Ann’s family tells it like it is.
Top of the world
“Dem always tek ghetto people fi fool, but we a nuh fool,” said Shelly-Ann’s father.
“I told her that she could do it, and now I am overjoyed that she did it,” said Shelly’s mother, Maxine Simpson. “All members of my family are excited, I love Jesus so much; He has done it for me.”
Maxine recounts how she had to run from the police while pregnant as she tried selling goods on the streets to feed her family. On the occasion of her daughter’s greatest exploit, she appealed to parents to believe in their children and support and help them to succeed. Miss Simpson also sent a special appeal to the gunmen to put down their guns and work to make Jamaica a better place.
Top of the world
“Dem always tek ghetto people fi fool, but we a nuh fool,” said Shelly-Ann’s father.
“I told her that she could do it, and now I am overjoyed that she did it,” said Shelly’s mother, Maxine Simpson. “All members of my family are excited, I love Jesus so much; He has done it for me.”
Maxine recounts how she had to run from the police while pregnant as she tried selling goods on the streets to feed her family. On the occasion of her daughter’s greatest exploit, she appealed to parents to believe in their children and support and help them to succeed. Miss Simpson also sent a special appeal to the gunmen to put down their guns and work to make Jamaica a better place.
She expressed gratitude and devotion to God for always taking care of her family, and was very grateful to all those who helped Shelly-Ann make it to where she is. “I have to say special thanks to coach Michael Carr and Mrs. Montague (Wolmer’s Girls School coach and the principal, respectively), the whole community, my fiancé, Kirk, Marcia, my mother and Shelly grandmother, everybody. To God be the glory and that man Jesus Christ,” said Miss Simpson.
The strong bond between mother and daughter was evident as 21-year-old Shelly-Ann told reporters in Beijing, “My mother is probably one of the biggest reasons why I’m running. Because she used to run and she stopped because she got pregnant with my big brother (24-year-old Omar).”
Fraser implied that though her family is close-knit, they were far from wealthy and experienced deprivation during her early years. “My mother encourages me a lot and I really love her because when nobody else was there, she always made sure to provide for us. I ran at Primary Champs bare-footed, and I really put in a lot of hard work to get to where I am now.”
The father of 24-year-old Sherone Simpson, Audley, predicted silver for his daughter.
The father of 24-year-old Sherone Simpson, Audley, predicted silver for his daughter.
“I was 100 per cent sure that she would get a medal and I was looking for her to get a silver, as I thought that one of the Americans would beat her for the gold,” Mr. Simpson said.
Usain Bolt is from the rural community of Shearwood, Trelawny. His parents were overjoyed with their son’s record-breaking run. His father, Wilby Bolt, said he expected his son to win, but not to break his own world record. Mr. Bolt said Usain was always confident, “Once he said he was going to do something, he will do it. I always knew he had the potential.”
Usain Bolt is from the rural community of Shearwood, Trelawny. His parents were overjoyed with their son’s record-breaking run. His father, Wilby Bolt, said he expected his son to win, but not to break his own world record. Mr. Bolt said Usain was always confident, “Once he said he was going to do something, he will do it. I always knew he had the potential.”
Jennifer, the mother of the 6’5” 21-year-old Usain, is with him in Beijing and expressed her immense joy.
24-year-old Kerron Stewart is the daughter of Winnifred Carnegie and Fernandez Stewart from St. Catherine.
It is no surprise that 25-year-old, 6’3” former world record holder, Asafa Powell, learned his great discipline from parents, the Reverends William and Cislyn Powell, from St. Catherine. Their strict upbringing helped shape him and his five older brothers. The family’s close bond and devout belief in God have kept them going even in times of great adversity and sadness.
Speaking from their home in Angels Estate, St. Catherine, that Asafa bought for them, the Powells were humble, but grateful.24-year-old Kerron Stewart is the daughter of Winnifred Carnegie and Fernandez Stewart from St. Catherine.
It is no surprise that 25-year-old, 6’3” former world record holder, Asafa Powell, learned his great discipline from parents, the Reverends William and Cislyn Powell, from St. Catherine. Their strict upbringing helped shape him and his five older brothers. The family’s close bond and devout belief in God have kept them going even in times of great adversity and sadness.
Though dad was disappointed with his son’s fifth place, mom said, “There’s a time and season for everything. It is Usain time now. I know it was God’s will and I don’t feel too bad. I’m just glad he’s still healthy.”
