Dear Editor,

What do Richard Dean “MacGyver” Anderson and Usain Bolt have in common? Okay, so I’m a bit dated, but you have to admit, they both perform with scripts that make them come out on top at the end of the show. Only, Bolt is not acting — what you see is what you get. In athletics, he’s the real deal. So why am I disappointed with his most recent success?

I really had dreams of Bolt shattering his 9.58 record, but that, I guess, is not likely to be at this stage. He’s getting older and doesn’t seem as hungry. But being at the zenith of athletic prowess, there’s no one else to beat — but himself.

Now, there’s a concept for excellence; not merely doing better than others, but a state of doing better than your last best; becoming your best self. This is a concept that I believe our youth would do well to learn; that the true measure of success isn’t to merely do better than others, but to becoming the best that one can be.

In the Christian world, this is good stewardship; a commendable utilisation of the “talent” you’ve been given. I can only hope that, in all he does, he’s being true to God who’s made all this possible for him. Will He too say, “Well done”?

Becoming your best self is a progressive phenomenon achieved over time. This is also the best path to excellence, because when, like Usain Bolt, you are better than everybody else, it doesn’t mean that you’re at your best.

Is 9.58 the best that Usain can do? I’m really inclined to say no, but that’s for him to answer on the track. Let’s watch and see.

All that said, congratulations, Usain: To the worl’!

Charles Evans

charles.evans@ncu.edu.jm