Rename Half-Way-Tree 'Olympic Square' - Letters

Letters

Rename Half-Way-Tree 'Olympic Square'

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Dear Editor,

At the height of the jubilation, right after we saw another outstanding and exhilarating performance from our athletes at the London 2012 Olympics, the electricity in the air and the ringing in my ears had not yet subsided when my friend Ellen opined that in honour of all the athletes, we should rename Half-Way-Tree "Olympic Square".

The gatherings in Half-Way-Tree to watch the big screens as our athletes competed have become representative of and synonymous with the ultimate display of unity, sport (especially Olympic) excitement and patriotism. It is ostensibly the one and only time that all Jamaicans forget social strata, race, ethnicity, politics, gender preferences, hate, grievances and our financial woes.

Thanks to the efforts of our athletes, every time a Jamaican steps into the international sports arena, the eyes of the entire world become focused on us and our little country benefits from the exposure. We already renamed "Three Miles" "Portia Simpson-Miller Square" in recognition of our prime minister's stalwart contribution to the community and Jamaican politics. I therefore hope that the powers that be will see it fit to acknowledge and honour all those athletes who represented our country in the Olympics, whether or not they won medals.

Garth A Rattray

Kingston 10

garthrattray@gmail.com