EDITORIAL - Hold your heads high

Barbadian athletes who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil should walk with pride, even though they did not make the anticipated journey to the medal podium.

 

Indeed, these athletes would have given their all as they participated in their various sporting disciplines, and whilst a medal would have been the icing on the cake, they must be commended for their conduct in Rio, the positive attitude shown towards the competition and the gusto with which they went after their pursuits.

 

What the athletes now need to know is that there is life after the Rio Olympics, and the work put in to be able to allow them to qualify in the first place and compete against the world’s best, must be continued and even carried through to the next level, so that they can be even better prepared for the next round of Olympic Games. 

 

Having seen the showing of Barbadian athlete Akela Jones in the Women's heptathlon for example, I am sure that the powers that be recognise the potential she has to go places. That said, we need to see greater support for our athletes and competitors in general in the early stages, as it is a known fact that athletes often have to struggle to prove themselves before they can get any real or tangible help to make key advances on the world stage.

 

Yes, we do have knowledgeable personnel in Barbados who can work with our athletes to bring them up to an A-class standard. Yes, we have personnel who desire to see the athletes do their best and excel even beyond their dreams, but we all know the value of teamwork. It is high time that the Government of Barbados invests more in building out the various sporting disciplines that could get us recognised in the international arena, and it is high time we form better partnerships with those who can take us forward successfully, even if that means working with key personnel from some of our sister countries.

 

That said, Barbadian athletes should feel proud of themselves. Given the issues surrounding doping with some of the athletes at the Rio Games; and given the issue that is brewing now in relation to the alleged bad conduct of a few American swimmers while in Brazil, we here in Barbados should feel thankful that to date, our athletes have avoided the spotlight on these and other potentially negative matters. 

 

It is one thing to win Olympic medals and bask in the glory that comes from such a feat. It is a totally different matter, however, when the talking point diverts from that blaze of glory to some negative conduct or action that could have legal implications or sanctions that place athletes in the Olympic Hall of Shame.

 

Therefore, as our athletes return home, let us give them the honour and recognition they are due. Let them share their experiences with some of our disenchanted youth, so they too can be inspired to do something great with their lives. Many of these athletes will also be competing at other international meets and they will need our backing as they put their best foot forward. Let us pledge to support them in whatever way we can. 

 

Again, hats off to the Barbados team and remember, hold your heads high!