Mistreatment of our elite athlete
Dear Editor,
I am very concerned about the poor treatment meted out to Jamaica’s elite track athlete Elaine Thompson Herah after she sustained an injury in that Grand Prix 100 metre race on Sunday, June 9 at the Icahn Stadium, New York. And to rub salt into the wound, I have not heard any public outcry, locally or overseas.
The spectacle of the injured athlete was highlighted in a Jamaica Observer online article headlined, ‘Thompson-Herah carried off track following 100m at NYC Grand Prix’ and by footage on local television sportscasts showing the prized athlete being carried/lifted off the track in a very undignified manner.
To be more detailed: She was taken from the track in the arms of two male ‘handlers’ — her body sandwiched between both men; her arms hugging their shoulders, obviously for some level of support; her feet were hanging uncushioned, which can only be judged as reckless. It was, in my opinion, a most despicable image.
The nagging question that begs to be answered is: Why wasn’t medical personnel summoned to remove her from the track on a stretcher?
I am totally perplexed. I have no douth that her family members and fans worldwide are, too. The image was unsightly and embarrassing for one who has sacrificed so much, given so such to a people, instilled pride in a nation by her stellar performances at major international meets all over the world; lifted gold medals routinely, and achieved the feat of being the fastest woman on the planet. For her to be handled in that way is an indictment on us all.
To subject Thompson Herah to such is unacceptable. It was as if she were a junior athlete competing at an underfunded primary school meet in a remote section of the island.
Jamaicans have regularly accused the Americans of overzealous behaviour in the treatment of their elite athletes, but maybe we can learn something from them, as these are the ones who inspire a people to reach for the sky.
It would certainly help if her management team would clear the air.
Dalgalish Henry Sr
dalgalishja@gmail.com
