Forumites - I know that this is primarily a forum for Reggae Boyz discussions (though our friend the Winner clearly believes otherwise) but I know I will not be chastised too harshly for raising another sporting issue which has to have us all concerned.
I refer, of course to the Merlene Ottey debacle, which now seems headed for a dramatic showdown.
I would like to know if I am the only Jamaican who feels appalled at the manner in which this matter has been handled from day one.
With the Olympics beginning in two days (although football starts today), what could the JAAA possible be waiting on to determine whether Ms Ottey will be allowed to participate in the 100 metres? Are they really planning to wait until September 19 - with all four 100 metre female prospects primed and raring to go - to dismiss one of them "just so?"
The reason that was given was that it was possible for one of the other Jamaican women who finished ahead of Merlene to "lose form" thereby allowing Merlene to have the oppurtunity to run. But with the games now upon us , what possible loss of form are they expecting in six days? Or are they hoping that one of the four will become injured, clearing the way for the three remaining candidates?
I agree with one Jamaican journalist who wrote that in light of Merlene's record, and the fact that, under exceptional circumstances, there is a precendent for some athletes to be given special consideration to get fit in time for certain events - an understanding should have been reached as follows - in the event of Merlene's not making the final three at the trials, she would still be given a provisional place PROVIDED her times improved dramatically in time for the meet. This place would be at the expense of the athlete who placed third at the trials. That way we would now be in a position to publicly announce that based on Merlene's improving times, the option of including her is now being exercised. In other words , Merlene's inclusion would be based on HER improvement and NOT on one of the other young ladies "falling off form ."
Is the JAAA's really going to ruin team morale by kicking one of these young ladies to the curb on September 19 when none of them, up till now, has "lost form?"
Or are they really planning to tell Merlene, who has proven so clearly that she deserves to be in the starting lineup, that she must go home, one week into the games and after all the work she has put in, AND HAVING ACTUALLY TRAVELLED TO ALL THE WAY SYDNEY ?
Or is it that behind the scenes, strings are quietly being pulled to get one of the other three athletes to step aside for Merlene? I know Bev McDonald's coach would not be even slightly amused if that were the case.
Quite frankly, it strikes me that the JAAA's does not know WHAT on earth to do and they appear to be hoping and praying for the matter to somehow miraculously resolve itself - a real pity, because at this stage I don't see how a fiasco that will affect the whole camp is going to be avoided.
There is just no way a decision of this magnitude should have been left unmade until now.
I have said a mouthful, but I would appreciate some feedback. This is far too serious a matter for us to just sit idly by...
Dheron, it's unfortunate what happened to Ottey, but I think it should be up to the individual athlete to decide whether or not to give up their spot. looking at the form chart obviously Ottey has the best chance of all the Jamaicans to get a medal, but just think if it was your sister or daughter who qualified ahead of Ottey would you want her to relinquish her spot...I dont think so. I like all Jamaicans would like to see A jamaican presence in the finals of the womens 100 meters but I'm not willing to sacrifice youngsters Lawrence and Dowdy who are our future in the womens sprint nor deny McDonald her opportunity at the age of 30 for sentimental reasons or the chance of getting another bronze medal from the "Bronze Queen" Ottey. Believe me I will miss Ottey but all good things must come to an end.
Dheron, you are absolutely right. This is mismanagement of the highest order. Bdennis, I can understand what you say about the personal feelings of the other athletes, but, as dheron stated, this should have been addressed before the Ja trials. Surely the JAAA understood that it was possible that Merlene might not have been ready by that time to run well enough to qualify. The trials should have been run with the condition that should Merlene improve she would run. To me it is not only about who has the best chance to medal, it is also about giving Merlene her due. She has earned this by her performance over the years. I think that part of the issue is that Jamaicans have been divided over whether or not she was on drugs, and see her as tainted and not the icon she was before the issue broke. If there had never been a drug issue, and she was coming off a 1 year layoff due to injury, I'm willing to bet there would not be the issue there is now. I just hope she gets the chance to run and that this is not how a glorious career comes to an end.
Correction only bad things must come to an end, good things last forever in some way shape or form , The world is upside down and backwards thats why people say all good things must come to an end , thats not true its the other way around , all bad things must come to an end , thats the truth, i am not sure who should give up their spot but some one should, not just for medals only but for the good of the country, if we as jamaicans cannot back one of ours that have bin dissed and miss treated by the world, then we should be ashamed to call ourselves jamaicans, the americans certainly do back their own , most all american runners are on drugs, i know this for a fact and when they get tested and found positive for drugs the americans cover it up so as to not taint the reputation of their country , Jamaicans should not follow them in covering up our wrong doings but we should try to show the world that we stand by our own and that we are very proud of our world class athlete, M.OTTEY is the greatest woman track and field athlete this century and if the europeans know this and respect this why should we try to down play this achievement, we should insted selebrate this while we have her alive and well with us now because i know for sure that she will be honored by all jamaicans when she is dead like Bob, that should not happen we should give her it now while she is alive, because there will never be another woman runner who competes at the higest levels in track and field for so long again throughout the world i am sure GIVE THE GIRL HER DUE...hard work should count for somthing and should be rewarded... i dont care what anyone says .....bottom line .....PEACE..
I love Merelene Ottey for what she has done for Jamaica. Round the world I mention sports and Jamaica and it is invariably the merlene ottey first, bobsled second, and reggae boyz third. Sometimes the bobsled is first.
That said. You cannot tell a person who has trained hard to give up their spot because Merlene wasn't in form at the time of the trials. I agree some special provision might have been made for Merlene to put any third place finisher on notice that her position is contingent. This, however, was not done, and it is patent sheggery to think you can just now kick somebody off the team to make place for Merlene even if she is now running a faster time than the first place finisher. That speaks to a great lack of integrity with respect to rules. You can't change rules like that because then they become meaningless.
Nothing prevented Merlene from staying n shape knowing the trials were coming up. She knew her suspension was being appealed. She should have been ready in case.
Finally, if she chooses not to go to Australia that is her decision. She has MADE the team in the 4 x 100. It is she who has decided that she won't run if she's only permitted to enter the 4 x 100. This is a manner of arrogance which she probably deserves to be able to exhibit based on all her contributions to Jamaican track and field. However, It should not be a reason to deprive an athlete of a position she has worked hard to attain.
I love Merlene and want to see her run but the shenanigans doesn't work here. The JAAA does not have to make a decision because there is room for all four athletes. If Merlene doesn't want to run then that's her business. It is up to her to make the decision so that the JAAA knows whether to substitute for her.
And as an aside..yes, I strongly believe the JAAA is kind of waiting (I don't want to say "hoping"...but...)for something to happen. i.e. Someone decides to give up their spot or becomes injured. It would make all their lives much easier. Sounds harsh and cold but you know its true.
PEACE
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Obama/Biden 2012 - We need people who actually think in charge, though they should learn to lead!
It should be noted that scientists in britain have discovered that excessive training in conjunction with a regimented diet can lead to high levels of Nandrolone (what Chirstie and Ottey were suspended for)in the body.
The test had like 15 people who were negative for nandrolone train vigorously and follow a particular diet. At the end of the test something like 60-70% of the subjects tested positive for nandrolone.
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Obama/Biden 2012 - We need people who actually think in charge, though they should learn to lead!
Forumites, thanks for your repsonses to my comments. Unfortunately, just as I predicted ths situation in Syndey is already getting ugly... Remember Ottey's threat to walk if she didn't run in the 100? Well, it turns out others too can play that game... Head on over to www. homeview.com SPORTS... Read and weep.
that is just crap. I know Winston Ulett so I won't curse him, but what he is saying and doing is real s**T. Furthermore, Ottey should keep her little ass quiet (excuse me).
It's this type of thing that leads to corruption, when people ignore rules and preset standards
I respect the US system for sticking by its guns. I don't like the idea of MJ and MG not being in the olympics in the 200 (for U.S.) I still question that decision as we are talking about two world record holders. You didn't here this stuff from MJ and MG, because they new what the rules were and that they wouldn't be changed. That is the purpose of having these rules in place. It addresses discord from the beginning by letting people know what to expect.
That said, I can't reconcile my questioning of the exclusion of the two U.S. WR holders with my feeling that Ottey needs to keep her ass quiet, but I think she's run her course and is acting inappropriately.
PEACE
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Obama/Biden 2012 - We need people who actually think in charge, though they should learn to lead!
Atownrudi: respect my brethren, but I disagree with the thought someone should give up their spot. Should we disrespect one woman who has represented our country in order to back another who has represented our country. Especially considering that the one to be backed has has shown disregard for our system of authority by attempting to hold it ransom with ultimatums.
Like most jamaicans i hoped ottey was not on dope and was happy when her suspension was lifted. I will not support someone who is know to have doped. I've never thought she was one. I can tell you though that it is not just Americans who use dope, try most everyone else. I wouldn't make a final judgment about the usage though because its hard to know who's been using it for sure until they're caught.
I think for sure Flo Jo did it, but she wasn't caught. But look at all the controversy that still surrounds her. I think most people who know anything about track think she was on it. Butch Reynolds was shot down too, and Dennis Mitchell (never liked him anyway). I don't think anyone wants to back someone they're pretty sure is guilty of doping. My point is I don't think that that is so relevant in the ottey situation.
I agree that hard work should stand for something and should be rewarded, but what about the hard working individual who is unfairly excluded.
Merlene is definitely ethereal in the world of track and field, and I think we all supported her when she was under fire. Now she must support us (Jamaica) by respecting us--including her teammates. Look at what she has done to the team.
Now to be Frank, Merlene could win a medal, but this is not a football match and it doesn't have all the variables. You see what the athletes have done and you know what they can do. While I would be pleasantly surprised if she could make it in the top 3, that is probably unlikely. I would be surprised if any of our female sprinters at 100 finished in the top 3. The team isn't as strong this year. We can only hope for a surprise.
Given all this uncertainty, and all the other circumstances, the team should remain as it is and Ottey should act like a queen.
PEACE
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Obama/Biden 2012 - We need people who actually think in charge, though they should learn to lead!
Shaggybear, I am glad to know that there is someone as passionate about this as I am. I appreciate much of what you have said. But I don't know if I can compare the MJ and MG situation with Ottey. Remember, they PULLED UP at their trials and never even finished their races. Merlene was BANNED from participating in preparatory meets(i.e. meets that would have made her fitter for our trials)by a set of INCOMPETENTS who misread the data they gleaned from her urine sample. It had NOTHING to do with ANYTHING she had done. I do not believe that if the ban situation never existed and she had just pulled up in the race at the trials and not been able to finish, we would be having this conversation just now. It would just be viewed as tough luck as with MJ and MG.
That said, while I am a Merlene fan, I do believe it was a tad ungracious for her to issue that statement regarding her withdrawal - she should perhaps have just let her faster times speak for themselves. Now if she is included, there will always be speculation as to whether it was because of her ultimatum. Also her statement has now set a bad precedent...Suppose other athletes do likewise when they don't get their own way in the future?
As for team morale- would YOU want to be a part of that female relay squad after all this has gone down?
It is just unfortunate , as I said, that the JAAAs did not make a firm decision from day one EITHER to say that
1- Merlene finished fourth and , NO MATTER WHAT, she would not be allowed to run except in the event of injury to one of the other three ladies OR
2) Merlene would be given a conditional place, based on her previous record but that to keep that place, her times must improve before the meet - therefore only two places in the female 100 would be "up for grabs" at the trials.
Either decision would have been deemed controversial, but it would still have been far less upsetting than what will hapen now.
Yes Shaggybear i respect the i post, i understand what you are saying and you do a a good point,the JAAA is stuck between a rock and a hard place,i wanted for them to use their discretion and try to find some kind of midle ground, and let the world class sprinter run for our country, however in light of the info i read and gathered from your post i too have to step back a revaluate my position on this matter, if Mis Ottey is disrespecting the management and the team and its members in general then she can take her european ass a go, because if she would be a hunble human being and have some compassion for her felow sprinters then i think she would be backed and inserted into the team, but if she proves to be a devisive tool in the camp then she should leave the sport and countrys reputation is much bigger than Ottey, i dont care what records she holds and will get if she runs, now we cant blame the other girls for saying what they said because they have earned the right to be where they are and no one can take that away from them , however Merlene situation is like a festering wound that will not heal and its also contagious too, anyway the bottom line is we would all love to see her one more time in the 100m race but not at the expence of her fellow team mates and her countrys reputation...peace ....
You're right, i recognized the difference in the situation between MJ MG and Ottey. But there are also similarities. Neither the US athletes nor Ottey were able to compete in their trials in top form. They pulled up (came last), she lost (came 4th). They're all out. Ottey could have kept in form while the appeal was going on. That's why I said I didn't think the fact she was suspended was SO important to the analysis. True, there is nothing like a meet, but she could have kept in form nevertheless. There are unsanctioned meets should could have taken part in (like Ben Johnson did and does).
Botton line is they're all out--she ran and finish 4th. They didn't finish because of injury, but we all knew they could be ready come olympic time. I think its a shame however, that the two CURRENT world record holders cannot compete in their events. IT takes so much from the olympics. If Ottey had that WR status right now I would probably be more for letting her run.
but as I said before, that is extremely doubtful.
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Obama/Biden 2012 - We need people who actually think in charge, though they should learn to lead!
I do not think anyone should be booted off the team to make room for Merlene. However, in the name of good sportmanship one of the girls should have done so voluntarily long ago, as a matter of respect to a lady who have done us proud for so many years, this is disrespectful.This shows that we are not a team but are in this for individual reasons.
Everyone in the world has given Merlene her due and feels that she should have been included. This reminds me very much of Bob Marley. Praised abroad, scorned a yard (while he was living).
Well forumites, for better or for worse, the decision has been made(see www .homeviewjamaica.com/sports). Ottey is in at the the expense of National champion, Peta Gaye Dowdie. The reason given is that Dowdie "has not maintained her form" since the national trials. Now several female team members are threatening to boycott the 4 X 100 relay, in which Ottey is also involved. Winston Ulett is denying any problems in the camp, (www.jamaica-gleaner.com.) but I think we know the truth.
All the best to our athletes (and congratulations to the magnificent Janelle Atkinson who swims again Thursday) but this should have been handled differently.... Was there really ever any doubt as to the outcome?
they ought to boycott. It could have just as easily been one of the other girls as PGD. The other girls shouldn't just drop it now that them find that them squeak thru.
That would be like a jewish person serving as police for the Nazis (see schindlers list) because he thought it would save him. (Turning your back on the plight of your brothers because you think the danger for you is past).
Sorry about the extremity of the analogy. I couldn't think of anything else in an instant.
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Obama/Biden 2012 - We need people who actually think in charge, though they should learn to lead!
What a disgrace. Ottey has lost my respect and tarnished, at least in my eyes, everything she has accomplished. She has been to 5 olympics so let the younger ones have a chance. My God! What a selfish person.
Ok..Well I havn't said much on this topic but I will have to say i am a bit,well,bewildered...I am sure I read long ago that one of those girls was going to drop out anyway and concentrate on a different event(I saw it on Homeview...)But seeing recent developments I am more concerned for the team spirit...But jus on past performances where Ottey never seems to be able to win an olympics medal and the fact that a big woman like that should have more decency and honour,hence she should of stepped..BUT...question...I thought Ottey along with Christie and two athletes fro England and also a German was found guilty of Nandro???? blah blah rea rea,and even though all were cleared by thier local athorities,all have been banned or have not attended the games due to court trials,so How come Ottey is still going or allowed to go????????
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They make the world so hard
Ok..I understand the scenario now....One girl implied she would only run the 200,that made Ottey believe she was ok, but she changed her mind and left ottey in the cold...Now doubt Ottey is the fastest but did not perform on the day,but also the fastest on the day is not performing now...Unlike football,they call themselves a team but lets be honest,they are all a bunch of individuals that at the end of the day are looking for thier own piece of the pie...Now they have already made a fool of themselves by demonstrating in front of John Public and our JAAA as all Jamaican authorities...Damn..waste a space...Me personally would make ottey pay a whole heap of money to compensate whoever is displaced bcoz of her failure to accept a democratic decision or step,but I would prefer to see Ottey and have some national pride than have some cry-baby who is not even affecting or performing to a decent standard...I find it humourous that the National champion should be the one dropped but also personifies the jamaican attitude...Jus bcoz she won she became complacent and look wha happen..she lose her place....
But on a serious note I,jamaica I would believe cannot afford the luxury's of sending competitors without no hope...Ok we had a tri..hope with wynter but I am sure if we could afford it we could send for nearly every sport but without ottey we cant get nothing in the relay and without her not a chance of winning any 100 medals much less the gold which is what is making Ottey so selfish and self centered and also the promotion of Jamaica is more important than all four of them...Ottey would more put us on the centre stage than the other three...I have to drop my principles and support the inclusion of Ottey but I despise the bully tactics...Mek she pay to run... BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ALL OUR TOP ATHLETES PERFORMED POORLY ON THE DAY WOULD WE WASTE TAX PAYERS MONEY BY SENDING A SECOND RATE TEAM.....Maybe now they should change the rules and make qualifying be over a number of trials....Jus the mere fact that Peta Gaye's form has dropped and neither can run under 11secs why waste monies...Olympics is for champions,not cry babies...
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They make the world so hard
All who are in favour of Ottey let me ask you this. Imagine, just for one second, that Peta-Gaye was your daughter, your flesh and blood whom you supported and groomed so well throughout life and then BAM! she has her proudest moment stripped from her. What if you had to look into her dissappointed eyes and have to explain to her that even if she wins THE MAN can take it away from her. That her hard work was all for nil. Remember that is what white people have been doing to blacks.
To me Merlene Ottey is lower than a snail. She got five Olympics to win gold and she has won seven medals, none of them such so she is back. SHE is 40, and she seeks to deprive and impede the progress of our future. Peta Gaye is 23. She earned her place through hard work and determination. She did not cheat. WHY THE HELL MUST SHE SUFFER????????? Ottey even said she doesn't give a damn about the relay which shows SHE AND SHE ALONE IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER
I think some of you are hypocrites. Should Jamaica have given their World Cup 98 spot to Trinindad if their form had dropped and became a laughing stock? Should they have said you take our spot Trinidad because we will be humiliated on the World stage and that would be bad for the Caribbean.
Remember Many people still believed that Jamaica didn't deserve to go to the World Cup but we earned our place fair and square even at the unfortunate expense of a better team like Costa Rica(better at the time).We went and we did OK. There were rules. We followed them and we won and we went.
Olympics is about winning yes but it is also about participation as well. Its a celebration of cultures and togetherness. Trust me Merlene Ottey may be better than the rest now but she can drop off tommorrow. She definitely won't beat Marion Jones either so why the fuss. Peta-Gaye must be given her chance to better her skills and the only way to do it is on the BIG stage. Also remember that Donovan Bailey did nothing in the run up to both the Olympics in 96 and the World's in 1995, but being the big time performer he is he blew away the field when not expected to. Throughout Merlene's career she has been the complete opposite crushing the field in major and minor events but getting her butt kicked when it came to Olympics.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT! MERLENE, SORRY TO SAY YOU ARE SELFISH LITTLE "#&"*! GO BACK TO ITALY AND COOK YU PASTA AN' NYAM IT! lol
