Dear Editor,

I write in reference to an article published in the Jamaica Observer on July 17, 2018, entitled ‘Briana chose Jamaica ahead of the US, says mother’.

Briana, it is with heartfelt gratitude that I express sincere thanks for choosing Jamaica. As you already know, we are not resource rich, but here is what Jamaicans can guarantee you:

1. We will reserve our best Dutch pot covers for you, and every time you blaze that track in your black, green and gold they will become clanging cymbals in every nook and cranny of this beautiful isle.

2. We will block Half-Way-Tree for you and talk all kinds of ‘sumtings weh mek sense and doan mek sense’, but that will be understandable, because ‘yuh mek wi glad bag buss’.

3. Our minister of sports will throw down the red carpet, albeit invisible at the airport, so that you may feel as proud as you made us feel.

These are what our Jamaican athletes have grown to love and appreciate the most. So thank you for choosing us, in spite of all the arguments about all the resources that the red, white and blue had at their disposal.

Sharon Simpson, Briana’s mother, thank you for respecting not only her decision, but also exposing her to our trailblazing boys’ and girls’ championships. In your own language, you pointed out that that could have been the deciding factor. On the subject of our Champs, this is a meet that Ato Boldon has spoken highly of whenever he gets a chance to, so I believe there was some input from him there. So thank you, too, Boldon. The world now sees that you have a precious gem working with. I implore you, as a former athlete, to do everything within your power as a coach to keep this gem pure and unblemished. Jamaicans believe you can and will.

Once again, thank you, Briana, we anticipate greater things.

Briana, at the end of your record run I heard you express how hard training has been, so I will leave this passage with you, Philippians 4: 13 — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Speak it into being every time you set foot on that track and watch Him do great things in your career.

Jacqueline Ferguson

St Andrew