Dear Editor,
I am a Calabar old boy who is a staunch supporter of his school and a real "fanatic" of track and field. I totally agree with the sentiments expressed in your editorial, 'Whither the practice of overworking our young athletes' with respect to Javon Francis and other athletes.
If Usain Bolt had gone to a so-called "big name" track and field school it is likely that he would have been overworked like other outstanding student-athletes. Fortunately, he went to a school that was never in contention for a Champs title, and therefore ran only two individual events and, at most, two relays. Had he been to a major track and field school, would we still have the gift that he is now to the country and to track and field?
I was involved with his school at the time and was aware of the great care with which Bolt was treated by the school and the coaching staff. William Knibb knew, long before Jamaica at large was aware, the special talent it had in its hands.
I never forgot the experience of the outstanding Neil Gardner. Super-talented, Gardner did the heptathlon, high jump, long jump, triple jump, and 110 hurdles, plus sprint relays. In 1993, I sat in the stands at the Stadium stunned at what I saw. Gardner was the favourite for most of his individual events, including the high jump and 110 hurdles Class 1. He completed a round in the high jump then had to sprint for more than 100 metres for the start of the 110 hurdles, where the athletes were about to go into their blocks. He ran his heart out in the race and came second, then had to return to complete the high jump.
Kingston College — or was it Racers? — had the good sense to pull the super-talented Zharnel Hughes out of the 200m after concerns about his health arose after the 100m. Why could not the same be done for Francis after the 400m?
Coaches and schools need to look to the athlete's possible future contribution to their country and their own livelihood and not just momentary glory.
Eron Henry
Alexandria, USA
eronhenry@yahoo.com
Coaches must think long term
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I am a Calabar old boy who is a staunch supporter of his school and a real "fanatic" of track and field. I totally agree with the sentiments expressed in your editorial, 'Whither the practice of overworking our young athletes' with respect to Javon Francis and other athletes.
If Usain Bolt had gone to a so-called "big name" track and field school it is likely that he would have been overworked like other outstanding student-athletes. Fortunately, he went to a school that was never in contention for a Champs title, and therefore ran only two individual events and, at most, two relays. Had he been to a major track and field school, would we still have the gift that he is now to the country and to track and field?
I was involved with his school at the time and was aware of the great care with which Bolt was treated by the school and the coaching staff. William Knibb knew, long before Jamaica at large was aware, the special talent it had in its hands.
I never forgot the experience of the outstanding Neil Gardner. Super-talented, Gardner did the heptathlon, high jump, long jump, triple jump, and 110 hurdles, plus sprint relays. In 1993, I sat in the stands at the Stadium stunned at what I saw. Gardner was the favourite for most of his individual events, including the high jump and 110 hurdles Class 1. He completed a round in the high jump then had to sprint for more than 100 metres for the start of the 110 hurdles, where the athletes were about to go into their blocks. He ran his heart out in the race and came second, then had to return to complete the high jump.
Kingston College — or was it Racers? — had the good sense to pull the super-talented Zharnel Hughes out of the 200m after concerns about his health arose after the 100m. Why could not the same be done for Francis after the 400m?
Coaches and schools need to look to the athlete's possible future contribution to their country and their own livelihood and not just momentary glory.
Eron Henry
Alexandria, USA
eronhenry@yahoo.com
Coaches must think long term
-->