Jamaica’s complete dominance over the women’s 100-metre and 200-metre sprints at all levels of major world athletics competition is simply breathtaking.

That, if for no other reason, should quieten the hearts of people like Jamaica Olympics Association (JOA) President Mr Christopher Samuda, and CEO of Birmingham 2022 Mr Ian Reid, who appear peeved that many of the big guns did not compete at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games.

The point they are missing is that Jamaica has enough and more to spare of superwomen runners who can participate in major games at the same time and still set each of them ablaze with superlative performances that will please even the most hardened spectator.

For the record, the reigning Olympic 100 and 200-metre champion is Mrs Elaine Thompson-Herah; the World 100-metre champion is Mrs Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce; the World 200-metre champion is Miss Shericka Jackson; the World Under-20 100-metre champion is Miss Tina Clayton; the World Under-20 200-metre champion is Miss Brianna Lyston; and the Commonwealth 100 and 200-metre champion is Mrs Thompson-Herah.

So when Mr Reid declares that those elite athletes who did not participate at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, would come to regret it, he was being needlessly carried away with his own sense of importance.

The JOA’s Mr Samuda was more subtle in appearing to upbraid our athletes, the likes of Mrs Fraser-Pryce, Miss Jackson, Miss Stephenie McPherson, Miss Brittany Anderson, Mr Yohan Blake, Mr Christopher Taylor, and a few others.

“When an individual places country over and above self, when an athlete demonstrates that not being at your best should not preclude you from serving the national interest, and when a gold medallist demonstrates to colleagues that personal accomplishments in international championships are important in building the sporting capital of a country, the JOA applauds,” he was quoted as saying in Monday’s edition of this newspaper.

His comment came in the context of praising Mrs Thompson-Herah for her participation and outstanding performance at the Commonwealth Games. He was joined by his Secretary General/CEO Mr Ryan Foster who added: “This is the character that the JOA encourages. This is the sprinting mettle that the JOA instils. This is the courage which the JOA celebrates.”

We understand the passion for sports and the patriotism of Messrs Samuda and Foster, but we suggest that they be more cautious in not appearing to ape Mr Reid, even if that was not their intention. They would also not want to appear to be setting one athlete against another.

Quite apart from our embarrassment of sprinting riches, Mrs Fraser-Pryce offered what we think is a very reasonable explanation for her decision not to be at the Commonwealth Games.

In an interview with Britain’s Mirror newspaper, she said: “The Commonwealth Games was just never on the agenda for me this year, especially because I did the double at the World Championship. It took a lot out of me to do, and the 4x100m.

“So to come back maybe a week or two after to do another three rounds and possibly two in the 4x100m, my coach said that would probably be too much for me to handle right now if I’m thinking about longevity and wanting to get to Paris 2024, so I had to be strategic about that.”

Argument done!