In my very first post I mentioned that the Olympians of the past were treated as heroes, statues were built and poems were written in their honor. I have already seen several poems written, heard songs sung and I am sure statues are coming as well. It gives me a great sense of pride to be a part of this great moment in our history and it is fitting then that I add my own poem to the list. A tribute to the great men and women who represented us exceptionally well in Beijing, we salute our heroes.

We were Heroes That day
by: Duane Anderson

We were heroes that day
Our black wrapped proudly
In green and sunshine gold
There was something special in our way
Bolder heads held far more proudly
We painted the sky, black, green and gold

We were heroes that day
The world heard our song
They basked in our joy and told,
Our story with pride all the way,
They recall our triumph, fast and strong
We paved our streets with gold

We were heroes that day
We wrote a page in history
We climbed high and rose above all
When we are remembered they will say,
Peace was bought with our glory,
And hope returned to us all

We were heroes that day
The world will never forget
Our names, our stride, our country
We were heroes that day
Surely if there were anything to regret,
that this day should ever fade from your memory

Spirits High in Half Way Tree

The massive crowd in Half Way Tree was ecstatic and still had a positive word for there golden girls. Listen to this clip recorded in HWT by Power 106.

And if it was not for a incompleted relay pass in Beijing, this little country would have won seven gold medals and in doing so finised atop the track and field table of these the 29th Olympiad held in Beijing, China.

With six gold medals, Jamaica will be topped by the United States after they complete expected victories in the men’s and women’s mile relays to finish with seven gold. They will have topped track and field table but only just.

But regardless of the accomplishments of the United States, a country of 300 million, and Russia, a country of tens of millions,  this little island was unchallenged in the sprints – 5-0 over the usually dominant US, and the Russains only won the women’s sprint relay because Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart muffed a baton pass while under no pressure whatsoever.

Sherone was metres ahead of the field but Stewart, perhaps a little to eager to cement Jamaica’s dominance in the sprints at these Games, took off a little to early and the pass was not made.

Veronica Campbell squatted on her haunches, a picture of dejection as Russia sped away to win in 42.31s, a time the Jamaicans could have run in their sleep.

But these things happen for a reason. A balance was needed. Jamaica was too dominant and the incomplete pass was a way of bringing us back down to earth. If only for a moment.

Because, at these Games there is no stopping Jamaica’s newest sprint king Usain Bolt.

Bolt, Lightning Bolt has another world record to his name but this time he shared it with Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter. Together they shattered the 15-year-old world record held by the United States by a whopping three tenths of a second to win Jamaica’s sixth gold medal in 37.10s

Trinidad was almost a full second behind in second place. Japan was third.

So dominant was Bolt that he actually ran behind Powell, who scorched the anchor leg and crossed the finish line third just behind the Trinidadians.

There is no question that these games belonged to Usain Bolt – three races, three wins, three world records – a feat never before accomplished.

But then it comes as no surprise, Bolt is miles ahead of his competition. Miles ahead of this planet.

9.69s in the 100m; 19.30s in the 200m; 37.10s 4x100m relay is just mind numbing. There are really no words to describe his accomplishments that will live forever in the memory of the billions who witnessed them.

The legendary 400 metre hurdler Edwin Moses, who ran undefeated in his event for 10 years, said athletes like Bolt come along once every five or six generations. How lucky are we as a nation that he was born here in Jamaica?

But, it was not all about Bolt.

Shelly Ann Fraser, Veronica Campbell, Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Shericka Williams, Danny McFarlane, Markino Buckley, Asafa Powell, Isa Phillips, Maurice Wignall, Michael Frater, and all the others did their part in making this Jamaica’s most memorable Games yet.

In the future, people will speak about Jamaica’s performance at these Games with the same reverence they talk about the exploits of McKenley, Rhoden, Wint and Laing in ’48.

So good has it been, we should all consider ourselves lucky to have witnessed it.

Looking to the 4×100 relay finals tomorrow arguably the most exciting event, there is speculation of two more shattered records. The men finished with a time of 38.31 without Usain Bolt who was getting some much needed rest for the finals. The women clocked in at 42.24 fast right?

Well here is the juicy part the world record for the men’s relay is 37.40 which means that team Jamaica without Usain Bolt was just 0.91 seconds away from breaking the world record and with the women’s 4×100 relay record standing at 41.37 our ladies were 0.87 away from breaking the world record. The men’s record is held by Team USA originally set in Barcelona by Michael Marsh, Leroy Burrell, Dennis Mitchell, Carl Lewis in 1992. The women’s record held by East Germany set in 1985 by Silke Gladisch, Sabine Rieger, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr.

Jamaica I would say is poised to put the ‘icing on the cake’ if all goes well with our baton exchanges then Jamaica’s name will be written in Olympic history for a long time. And the names of our champions will be freshly remembered.

If you are worried about Asafa Powell as many of you with short memories might be take a look at this clip from Osaka 2007 World Championships 4X100m Relay Final, after Bolt and Frater had a messy exchange it was Powell who cleaned up.

Poland

Jamaica

United States

From the gun went off to start the race, till 19.30 seconds later when the sprint dynamo’s race ended in world record time. Usain Bolt was all business today. After a long standing 12 year record of 19.32; a seemingly unbreakable record came falling down after the Jamaican sprint phenomenon finished a blistering 0.52 seconds ahead off his closest rival Churandy Martina, of the Dutch Antilles was second in 19.82 but later disqualified for stepping on the line.

Taking in the moment

Previous record holder Michael Johnson said prior to the race “In order to run 19.30 he has to run the curve better and hold his speed for longer,” he also added “I didn’t think he would run 9.69, but I think he could have run 9.62 if he had run to the finish and tied up his shoes.” He had also said that he didn’t think his record would have been broken today but acknowledged that he would soon have to “kiss it goodbye”. Bolt was thinking sooner that later.

The sprint champion has taken a lot of criticism for the flamboyant way in which he won the 100m final, pounding his chest before he crossed the finish line, never the less Usain Bolt has set him self apart from every sprinter who has come before him by breaking the world record in the sprint double in the premier athletic event. No athlete has ever accomplished such a feat and no athlete since Carl Lewis has managed to win both events at the Olympics some 24 years ago.

He crossed the finish line glancing at a time that before today seemed impossible and raised his hands in triumph; fell to the ground arms and legs outstretched taking in the roaring applause from the capacity crowd in the Birds Nest. Taking in the moment he solidified himself in history as the fastest man who ever lived.

Inspired by her fellow Jamaican athlete and her own determination, Melanie Walker gave her country another reason to celebrate as she also devastated her competition in record time to win the gold medal in women’s 400m hurdles. Amazing!

Who do you think and why?

These four athletes are Michael Frater, Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter and Usain Bolt.  Do you think this is the best running order for the team to reap gold?,  if not state your running order.

We pray for someone to consistently run sub 45. What has caused this decline? and who are the brightest prospects now?