Even as Jamaicans get ready to be glued to their television sets in anticipation of the nation’s athletes once again shining at the Olympic Games, this time in Paris, France, three of its stellar athletes, namely Elaine Thompson Herah, Omar McLeod, and Yohan Blake, will be absent.

Of the three, Blake has remained in the spotlight in a negative way as a result of recent comments in which he lamented the fact that his countrymen and countrywomen had turned their backs on him because of his recent failures on the track, the main one being his inability to qualify for the Paris Olympics during the June National Trials when he placed a miserable fifth place.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist had declared that this would have been his last hurrah but, alas, fate had other plans and he now appears to be a bitter man, feeling that the country which once hailed and adored him has abandoned him and given him no support whatsoever. Not surprisingly, his utterances have elicited an avalanche of negative comments, some of which were most unkind. Truth be told, the young man needs our support and sympathy at this time, as he appears to be having a ‘meltdown’.

Said he, “Life is crazy. Recently I spoke about how I feel and there was mixed emotions to be honest, with everybody, but I am saying this to say that if you stay quiet they say you’re soft, they say you’re weak, they say you’re pitiful.” These are his exact words, having bemoaned that Jamaican fans do not honour him after he stopped winning races on the global scene. Alas, poor Yohan!

This writer will not join in any condemnation of this distinguished Jamaican who has brought much fame and glory to his homeland. I recall sitting beside him in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, St James, at the height of his sporting career when the parish of his birth honoured him, and I had the honour and pleasure of not only writing the citation but reading it. Yes, not many may recall that he was born in St James and not St Catherine as some had thought. I remember him thanking me graciously, and I thought to myself: Here is a humble young man basking in his moment of greatness. I was proud and happy to be a part of that momentous glow.

Blake has been the youngest-ever 100 metres world champion, among many other triumphs, and was seen as Usain Bolt’s sidekick, soon to become his successor and perhaps even surpass his indomitable feats. But that was not to be, and many felt that his fallout with Coach Glen Mills may well have put him in the doghouse. Be that as it may, Blake is someone of whom every well-thinking Jamaican should be proud.

In this regard, part of his lamentation is, as he puts it: “My own country, Jamaica, doesn’t give me the respect. But I’m happy, because other people outside do, and appreciate me more than my own country.”

Is this once-promising athlete a victim of what we call in Jamaica the ‘wagonist mentality’? Methinks so. Yes, he may be whining too much and may be overreacting, but the sad truth is that too many Jamaicans will be fully in your corner when you are winning, but the moment you falter and can no longer take the podium you are ridiculed, disrespected, and, in some instances, forgotten. Yes, we crown and then crucify our heroes! For some, it may look pathetic as he enters one race after another and does not win, but one must have some respect for his determination, fixity of purpose, and self-respect. However, as that popular song goes, he may well need to “know when to walk away and know when to run” — or just when to stop running.

This curious case of Yohan Blake is deserving of a more humane and understanding approach. It is my view that the sporting fraternity, including Sport Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange, should intervene and provide Blake with as much professional help as possible, inclusive of counselling and reassurances that all is not lost. He belongs to Jamaica’s sporting hall of fame and should, therefore, not be taken for granted or dismissed as just a disgruntled, over-the-hill sporting champion.

In this vein, it must be stressed that the necessary structure should be developed by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), and other sports-related bodies to assist athletes, not just when they are doing well but when they are down in the dumps. The ‘wagonist’ mentality is real out there and is to be found even in the halls of ‘officialdom’. Too often we ‘big up’ our athletes when they are on top of their game, but when they falter we join the long line to ridicule and discard them. Both McLeod and Thompson Herah have already been victims of this ‘wagonist’ approach, and God help those athletes who are now in Paris, especially Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson, among others, if they fall by the wayside.

As a nation, we must be more sympathetic and understanding of our athletes, standing with them in good times and bad times. Just look at how we have been disparaging the Reggae Boyz, as if to suggest that 1998 should be a forever experience every time there is a World Cup. This writer well understands that human nature is frail and fluid. Just look at what happened to Jesus Christ with two of his closest disciples: Peter denied knowing Him and Judas betrayed Him.

As a nation, let us reach out to Blake and make him feel loved, respected, and appreciated. He deserves it.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 49 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.