To Shelly, Elaine, Shericka …
Dear Editor,
Napoleon Hill said this: “A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.”
A few weeks after winning her fifth 100m World title at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, I heard someone say on the radio that Fraser-Pryce will not hang up her spikes anytime soon. I was happy to hear that because this inspiring athlete is like a motivator to her compatriots. On and off the field, she rallies around them. She has a very strong and impressive character.
Former sprint queen Merlene Ottey had the longest career as a top-level international sprinter and Jamaica’s most-decorated female athlete, who retired from track and field at age 52, was a determined competitor who went the extra mile.
Like Ottey, if Fraser-Pryce feels fit and able to continue blazing the track for another five years we should be happy about that because, even if she doesn’t win a race, her very presence, her smile on the field and among her team members says it: She is a delight to have her around.
We raise our right hand in salutation to the great Fraser-Pryce for winning a fifth world 100m title and for being conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ). We lift our hats and our caps, too, to Elaine Thompson-Herah, one of Jamaica’s greatest sprinters and a five-time Olympic champion for winning two bronze medals at the 2022 World Championships.
And what can we say about Shericka Jackson? She has bolted quickly to the top as a dangerous sprinter who has won a gold and two silver medals at the event, in addition to being conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD). A massive round of applause for this dangerous speedster.
Above all, let’s give a thunderous round of applause to all our competitors who delivered the goods in the 2022 world meet, including those who did not win medals. You have made us proud.
Donald McKoy
donaldmckoy77@gmail.com