Dear Editor,

Congratulations to Yohan Blake who beat double Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt in the 100 and 200 metres at the National Trials.

At the last Olympics four years ago in Beijing, and a year later at the World Games in Berlin, Bolt’s dominance on the track was phenomenal. His achievements and the ease with which these were done can only be described in any language in hyperboles and superlatives, as he became the new sensation and standard by which all sprinters would be judged.

I have often replayed and analysed the recording of those performances and here are my observations.

Bolt did not get a good start in Beijing in the 100 metres and it was quite obvious that he was capable of doing a much faster time. This he proved a year later in Berlin. He was definitely younger, slimmer, springy and full of so much energy with the seemingly perfect physique of a natural athlete. He was having so much fun, like a playful child, as he entertained millions of fans worldwide. He made the sport far more exciting and entertaining and the fans simply loved and adored him.

Champions will always be challenged for their titles. Winners are not losers and people go for winners. It always seems everything is being done right once a team or individual maintains dominance. There are things for which Usain Bolt has been harshly criticised, which in many instances would have been overlooked had he maintained his supreme dominance.

Life has its ups and downs. My advice to Bolt is that he should not be distracted and discouraged by criticisms, but to remain focused, reduce weight and continue to train hard with fixity of purpose. Eat right and exercise right. Energy is everything and health and vitality to a great extent are basically dependent on nutrition. In every field of endeavour, a man’s performance and longevity are critically dependent on what he eats, from whom, how much and how he eats!

Be who you are, but be your best self. Whether on the track, training or competing, or just relaxing and partying, continue to enjoy your life and have fun, feel free, uninhibited and natural. You will bounce back to the top, at the optimum position of performance and endurance of a true champion and may even become that living legend.

Daive R Facey

DR.Facey@gmail.com