ONLINE READERS COMMENT: Have Mercy on Danielle Williams
Dear Editor,
I am kindly asking the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) to have some mercy on Danielle Williams. And to forgive or pardon her, 70 times 7.
The 2015 World Champion sprint hurdles champion, false-started in the 100m hurdles, at the National Senior Trials, on June 23, 2019; unfortunately for her, at such a time with the World Championships just a few months away.
But what has worsened the problem is this: Danielle Williams’ protest against the false start was too long a protest; it went beyond the boundary. It wasn’t a pretty sight. And listening to MVP head coach, Stephen Francis, giving a good description of the situation, he said that the red card was shown three times to the athlete.
On the other hand, let us put ourselves in Danielle’s shoes. It wasn’t easy for her. She has such high hopes for the future and has been training so hard and putting her heart and soul into it. To be suddenly slapped with a false start and have no second chance to try again is a hard blow. Do you think that is an easy pill for her to swallow? No, it’s not!
Who feels it knows it. The one who dedicates herself to hard and vigorous workouts knows it. So, no one knows it and feels it like the sad, hurt and disappointed, Danielle Williams.
I am therefore appealing to the JAAA, to reconsider its decision against this young and promising athlete, and wipe the slate clean, and give her the green light to advance to the next level. In other words, please put the matter behind you, and try, in whatever way you can, so that Williams will be one of our competitors in the upcoming World Championships, in Doha, Qatar.
Thank you very much.
Donald J Mckoy