Tokyo Olympics – Petty, Partisan, Political Behaviour Stunting Youth Development
Congratulations to the government of Tokyo and others for being able to execute one of the largest global events on the events calendar during a pandemic. It was an opportunity again for humankind to demonstrate what separates us from the rest.
Man is the only animal that strives to be more than he is…it is the indomitable spirit within that makes him human.
Steven Lang
Barbadians although happy to support the 8 member team selected to attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – special mention to Sada Williams who missed out on qualifying for the 400m final by the narrowest of margins – there was the disappointment of not being able to experience the euphoria of a podium finish. The every four year post evaluation will now take place with the usual mouthings from government and supporting bodies to suggest they will work to ensure local athletes are ready for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The obvious question Barbadians on the street always ask is why Jamaica, Trinidad, Bahamas, Grenada and a few other regional countries continue to produce podium ready athletes. A visit to those islands to see the stadia gives a first clue. In the same way a tradesman needs the right tools to satisfactorily complete the job, athletes need adequate facilities and ancillary support to be able to deliver and sustain top performances. The local national stadium is a sight for sore eyes and an embarrassment all Barbadians should share. When current and aspiring athletes have to attend or perform at the local stadium, it cannot be a positive physical or mental exercise. How many times have NAPSAC and BSSAC events had to be relocated to ‘cow pastures’ or cancelled in recent years because of the unavailability of the national stadium? What has been the long term effect of those decisions?
We wonder why there is growing cynicism and apathy shown by Barbadians? For as long as the blogmaster can recall both administrations – DLP and BLP – have given lip service to supporting sports in a meaningful way. The sports ministry is almost always attached to the most junior minister in the Cabinet. Case in point Minister Dwight Sutherland, before him John King. From time to time the BU family has joined others to inquire about the development and implementation of a relevant National Youth Development Strategic Plan.
The other challenge worthy of mention is the ‘professional’ sports administrators- a small group of individuals who are recycled at the various sporting associations, Barbados Olympic Association, Barbados Football Association, Barbados Cricket Association, Amateur Athletic Association and others, engaging in questionable transactions and behaviour with zero accountability. In the same way members of the political class close ranks to protect their own, so too sports officials in Barbados. The blogmaster has unsuccessfully reached out to several of them to encourage a blowing of the whistle on unethical and possibly illegal behaviour. Our athletes struggle to deliver world class performances, no fault of theirs but the administrators continue to enjoy the travel per diem, accommodation at 4 and 5 star hotels and other perks attached to roles. Enough already with the retort that administrators are volunteers.
The government and NGO bodies responsible cannot be serious about developing the potential of our young people and continue to commit inadequate resources to a relevant sports program. The benefits of developing such a program operating under the umbrella of a National Youth Development Strategic Plan are well documented. If we do not create an outlet for our young people to channel talent, it will give rise to problematic behaviours. Although there is opportunity for some to gain from athletic scholarships overseas, the majority will benefit from positive lifestyle choices and interpersonal relationships. It is a win win for the quality of society.
Despite challenging economic times government should commit to proportionately carving 100k from respective budget heads in the next appropriation exercise. Leading sports associations should commit to zero travel and 50% reduction of per diem to be reallocated to DIRECTLY support to the athletes. This is a simple suggestion to ram home the point that we we are doing is not working.
Our young people are no different to those from other countries, what separates them is the lack of opportunities created for them by the establishment. We continue to fail them. We prefer to engage in petty, partisan, political behaviour while the leaders of tomorrow are not prioritized.
Barbados Underground 
@ Donna,
To have a national record that stood nigh on for 50 years was astonishing. Especially when one factors in an increase of food supplies, an increase in height, access to superior facilities, superior competition, etc. Perhaps our athletes have struggled to get out of their beds to train.
You seem to forget that our national records are inferior to the vast majority of regional records
I do not need to do any research on longevity of records. Please Donna, we should not be excusing rank failures. I am not talking about those who competed in the Olympics. I am referring to those who were left at home.
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Bunch o’ ordinary old farts!
They cry down the young people when they sell drugs and shoot people.
They cry down the young people when they reach a semi-final at the Olympics!
##@@%$*&^@€£₩¥!
I cannot find the words!
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Barbados should build a couple of large indoor stadiums that could also be used to use people during hurricane season emergencies.
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Sincere Apologies
I forgot to put the ho in the house
“… used to house people during hurricane season emergencies.”
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David,
You right, man! I dun!
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RE The secret of Jamaica’s athletic successes? CHAMPS
https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/boys-girls-champs-jamaica-zharnel-hughes-issa
BOVINE EXCREMENT
THEY GOT “CHAMPS” IN EVERY ISLAND
WE GOT CHAMPS TOO……..IT IS JUST THAT WE DONT PRODUCE ANY OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS UH LIE?
AND THIS CAN NOT BE REFUTED
DEAREST DARLING DONNA
RE Imagine a young person reaches a semi-final at the Olympics and these shitehounds call her lazy and lacking in discipline!
TELL YA THE TRUTH I ENJOY SOME FOLK LIKE THEY RUNNING BACKWARDS IN THIER DISCIPLINES WITH GREAT DISCIPLINE.
E.G THE TRINIDADIAN 4X 400 RELAY TEAM
No wonder the young people do not pay your old asses any mind.
METHINKS THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LACKING
If I were Sada, I would cuss wunnuh the worst way.
AND HOW WOULD THAT HELP HER TO ADVANCE/
PEOPLE DOES CUSS AND PULL DOWN HEY PUN BU EVERYDAY. WHERE DO THIS GET US? HOW DOES THIS HELP US TO IMPROVE?
And what do obese women have to do with the athletes we are discussing???????
WELL OBESE WOMEN CANT RUN TOO FAST OR TOO FAR
MAYBE THEY SHOULD DO THE SHOT PUT OR HAMMER THROW ETC LOL LOL
I SEE REAL BIG MEN GETTING THE MEDALS IN THESE EVENTS. HINT HINT HINT LOL LOL
INSTEAD OF SEEKING OLYMPIC MEDALS AND GLORY WHICH WILL ALL TARNISH AND FADE AWAY PERHAPS WE SHOULD BE SEEKING A “MORE ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY” . INSTEAD OF SEEKING TO STAND ON THE PODIUM AY THE OLYMPICS PERHAPS WE SHOULD BE SEEKING AND DISCUSSING STANDING WITH THE ELDERS AT THE GLASSY SEA WITH A MULTITUDE WHICH NO ONE CAN NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN REVELATION CJAPTER 5.
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@ GP,
This thread is a metaphor for our sickly nation.
To offer construction criticism or to speak the truth is never appreciated by some.
The lack and the neglect of not having a sporting culture and an adequate sport’s infrastructure is an absolute national disgrace. Respective governments have propped up the tourist industry and some prominent minority business communities whilst heavily under investing in public sport institutions for their very own people. What a bunch of short sighted idiots.
The cudhear mentality or bringing raw emotion to this debate will not elevate the performance or the mentalities of our Athletes. Especially when they have to perform against hungry, lean, mean and muscle bound Jamaican athletes who do not eat with their eyes. These people are serious about what they consume and treat their bodies like a temple.
Until recently Chinese and Japanese sprinters produced lightweight performances. Not anymore. Some of these guys are now attaining times around the 10 second barrier: with one or two a fraction below this mark. Not enough to win a medal but highlights what progress they have made.
Most Bajans cannot even do a time of 10:15. What are the Japanese and the Chinese doing different from us. I believe in the last Olympics a Kenyan male won the javelin. Perhaps he may have been a hunter, however Kenyans have no throwing pedigree; they are runners.
Our problem is simple. Life may be progressively more difficult in Barbados, however it is an easy sweet life. To survive in Barbados you do not need much and besides has anybody ever passed away mal-nourished in our country.
P.S. I believe we have a few decent squash and chess players.
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RE Until recently Chinese and Japanese sprinters produced lightweight performances. Not anymore. Some of these guys are now attaining times around the 10 second barrier: with one or two a fraction below this mark. Not enough to win a medal but highlights what progress they have made.
THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT THEY PRACTICE
THEY ARE PAID TO / OR AND FORCED TO PRACTICE
BUT THEY MIGHT NOT EVER BECOME WORLD BEATERS AT RUNNING, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE REQUISITE TYPE MUSCLE FIBERS
THE JAMAICANS DONT EAT NUTTIN SPECIAL MAN….JAMAICANS ARE SUPERB SPRINTERS MAINLY BECAUSE THEY THEY ARE ENDOWNED WITH THE NECESSARY FAST TWITCH FIBERS. VERY SIMPLE BIOCHEMISTRY FACTS
THE KENYANS HAVE THE SLOW TWITCH MUSCLE FIBERS REQUIRED FOR SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE, HENCE THEIR DOMINANCE IN LONG DISTANCE RACES VERY SIMPLE BIOCHEMISTRY FACTS
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@all
In the midst of all this baloney about how poorly our athletes are doing , when in fact, they are competing creditably on the world stage, we seem to have forgotten that we have produced the greatest all rounder cricketer and nobody has come close to even matching his skills on the cricket field. Sir Garry therefore remains our most successful sportsman to date.
BTW, let’s give Rihana all the credit that she richly deserves. To her credit she has evolved into a extremely successful world class high powered entertainer and business person.
However, she is indeed no different from Michael Jordan and others , who are really the prime examples of the USA corporate sport / entertainment complex. In other words it is pure nonsense to suggest that any local entertainer can amass what she has done depending on exclusive local branding., sales etc. She has demonstrated what can be achieved by modern progressive grooming and opportunity. In short she is a genius in my book!
If I were an athlete and had read the garbage written here and elsewhere after I bust my tail to qualify and comptete for my country , I would have serious problems speaking to anybody again. Knowing full well that if I had won a gold medal all yuh so would have been jumping up like if wunnuh had won um.
But that’s who we are. Frigging pailing cocks!
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MAN IF YOU AINT GOT IT YA AINT GOT IT AND YA DOES SEEM TO BE RUNNING BACKWARDS UNDER HIGH CLASS COMPETITION. SOMETIMES YA BEST IS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE COMPETITION
AT MED SCHOOL I HAVE SEEN MEN COMING OUT OF RC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN T &T WITH A’S AT A LEVEL BECAUSE THEY JUST HAD TO REGURGITATE EXCELLENT NOTES PREPARED BY :”FATHER”; WHO AT MONA FOUND THEIR NAMES DOWN NEAR THE LIST OF MARKS FOLLOWING THE FIRST REAL EXAM
DONT CARE HOW GOOD YA IS OR TINK YA IS DEY GOT FOLK BETTER DAN YOU.
I LEARNED THAT EARLY AT AGE 10 WHEN I WAS SENT TO HC.
THE HIGHER YA GO THE MORE MARKEDLY SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES ARE REVEALED
NOT ONLY IN RUNNING EVENTS AT THE OLYMPICS RACE HORSES DOES LOOK LIKE THEY RUNNING BACKWARDS TOO. LOL
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The Milrose Games are held in NY annually. I seem to recall a team of Jamaican school children participate every year..
A brand new stadium might not be able to replace the competition, experience or learning gained at such a meet.
https://www.millrosegames.org/news/2017/12/19/asafa-powell-leads-strong-jamaican-contingent-at-nyrr-millrose-games-g3atp
I am quite certain that one can find Bajans who will host and transport talented youngsters to the meet. We may even accomodate a relative of the youngster (all free of charge)
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Why are you locked on the single point of a new stadium? Have you seen the existing?
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I have not been home in ages.
I am not locked on a new stadium.
However, I believe the talk of a new stadium and the quest for a gold medal through track and field events are the same thing. Given advances in the rest of the world and our current state, this quest may not be a profitable exercise. I want us to consider exploring other avenues than track and field.
I want to show that exposing their athletes to high level international competition is a part of the quest for excellence in Jamaica.
I wish to point out that some in the Diaspora may be willing to open their homes to talented athletes and a guardian so that the athletes are exposed to a higher level of competition.
I also wish to point out that a new stadium is throwing money, which we do not have, at the problem. (Back at the stadium)
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Pictures of the stadium were posted to BU in earlier blogs.
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Man, Bajans have hosted and transported young people for various reasons.
Without fanfare!
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She would feel a whole lot better! That’s what cussing can do.
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I am really not perturb about us not winning medals at international competition. It is understandable that as human beings and a nation we yearn for recognition, attention and glory. We look at the accomplishments of our peers with envious eyes, believing we should able to copy that achievement. However, it isn’t as simple as that. Richer and more populous nations than us leave Tokyo with no medals.
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That notwithstanding, there is much room for improvement based on current state.
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“If I were an athlete and had read the garbage written here and elsewhere after I bust my tail to qualify and compete for my country , I would have serious problems speaking to anybody again. Knowing full well that if I had won a gold medal all yuh so would have been jumping up like if wunnuh had won um.”
One could look at it as if we were incentivising the youth to do better in the future.
To be serious, to attend the Olympics as a competitor is a great achievement. We should applaud their effort.
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“….JAMAICANS ARE SUPERB SPRINTERS MAINLY BECAUSE THEY THEY ARE ENDOWNED WITH THE NECESSARY FAST TWITCH FIBERS. VERY SIMPLE BIOCHEMISTRY FACTS
THE KENYANS HAVE THE SLOW TWITCH MUSCLE FIBERS REQUIRED FOR SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE, HENCE THEIR DOMINANCE IN LONG DISTANCE RACES VERY SIMPLE BIOCHEMISTRY FACTS”
@ Dr Know It All
Everyone has fast twitch and slow twitch fibres that can be strengthened with daily gradual practise
When you go to Kenya you see everyone everywhere running and cycling long distances in high altitude with less oxygen in the air
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@William Skinner August 8, 2021 9:01 AM “I’ll bet a million dollars that if we had won one medal, those who refuse to rebuild the national stadium would be at the airport taking all the credit. And I mean from both the Dees and the Bees.”
I second that.
Our young athletes and their dedicated coaches need practical help.
About 15 years ago I was often at the stadium on evenings with a young athlete, many of them had to take the bus home after practice, sometimes 2 buses. Some walked a mile or more home after a long day at school, and a long evening of practice at the stadium, and still homework to be done on reaching home. In the meantime a bus, donated I believe by the IOC sat in a parking lot at Wildey. Once my own young athlete was made to pay busfare, because “free” that is tax-funded busfares for students ends at 7 pm, and the transport board driver at the busstop close to the stadium rigidly enforced the 7.pm rule just as though the youngster had been liming in town. It is 7:05 you are still in school uniform then you must pay. Of course some of the athletes become discouraged. It is truly amazing that some have the courage to continue.
The two youngsters to whom I was close have gone on to do excellent work at their respective universities, but local support is shamefully lacking.
Please note that this in not a criticism of the young athletes nor of coaches whom I found to be amazingly dedicated.
Of course the track at the new Usain Bolt stadium does not meet Olympic standard–not long enough.
Officialdom–they know who they are–need to listen to the coaches and to the athletes. My impression is that there are too many seat warming, status seeking officials, and not enough people with a passion for sport and for youth development.
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@David “but the administrators continue to enjoy the travel per diem, accommodation at 4 and 5 star hotels and other perks attached to roles.”
I hadn’t even read this when I wrote my piece.
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@Donna August 9, 2021 6:14 AM “Bunch o’ ordinary old farts! ##@@%$*&^@€£₩¥!”
I second this.
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Advice to Bajans (co·mor·bid·i·ty champions)
if everyone made the effort to be fit with daily practise of 1-2 hours
and fittest of the fittest youths in their bprime condition competed for athletic selection
there would be more world class champions like Jamaicans
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Even In Kenya and Ethiopia most of their the athletic champions come from a certain tribe and region. In other words your average Kenyans are not potential world class beaters.
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@ TLSN August 8, 2021 1:42 PM “All of our problems are structural. Has anybody seen the trajectory in the financial growth and the marketing of Mount Gay rum since the French took possession of it?”
And since the French had the good sense to hire on MERIT a black, female Bajan master blender…instead of one of the old boys “who went school wid dem”
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I wonder how many of the BU boys would have hired on MERIT a young, black Bajan woman?
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@David. I would rather have economic prosperity and glory for
my people than sporting glory and poverty. And winning medals at international sporting competition, just add icing on the cake. I am sure Singaporeans are not beating themselves over their poor showing in Tokyo.
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Andre De Grasse was born in Scarborough, Ontario.His mother, Beverley De Grasse, was a high school sprinter in Trinidad and Tobago before she moved to Canada at age 26.His father, Alexander Waithe, moved from BARBADOS to Canada as a teenager.
Maybe we can claim Andre. He is certainly, like many, many of my nieces and nephews a Bajan by descent. Some of them are Bajans at heart. A couple of them visiting with me right now and working remotely. I am enjoying their company.
Alexander Waithe died recently.
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Andre De Grasse (born November 10, 1994) is a Canadian sprinter. A six-time Olympic medallist, De Grasse is the reigning Olympic champion in the 200 m and also won the silver in the 200 m in Rio in 2016. He also has four Olympic bronze medals, placing third in the 100 m in both the 2016 and 2020 games, as well as placing third in the 4×100 m relay in 2016 and 2020.
He was the double Pan American champion and the NCAA champion in the 100 m and 200 m. De Grasse won the bronze in the 100 m and the 4 × 100 m relay at the 2015 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. He also won the bronze in the 100 m and the silver in the 200 m at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha. He is the current Canadian record holder in the 200m, running a 19.62 in Tokyo, making him the eighth fastest man in history in the 200.
The Bajan men on here piss parading, so lemme ask wunna a question
What positive influence if any did the Bajan father have with this superb athlete?
And lemme ask the BU men, were it not for his Trinidadian mother would he be a star athlete?
I await your responses.
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RE To be serious, to attend the Olympics as a competitor is a great achievement. We should applaud their effort.
To be serious, I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ALSO GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS THAT WE SHOULD ALSO APPLAUD ,, BUT WE DENIGRATE AND PULL DOWN DAILY
HILARIOUS
AFTER THIS BULL SHIT ARTICLE TODAY IN 2024 OUR AFFLETES WILL BE RUNNING BACKWARDS DE SAME WAY AS IN 2021
AND THE BU BARKERS AND BRAYERS WILL STILL BE STILL DENIGRATING AND PULLING DOWN
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@GP August 8, 2021 2:36 PM “THE CURRENT DECLINE OF OUR NATION IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO DEFICIENCIES IN OUR MOTHERS WHO ARE NOW MOSTLY CARREER WOMEN, AND THE LACK OF PROPER EXPERIENCED GRANDMNOTHERS.”
It could be father absence too.
After all if both fathers and mothers are doing their jobs, there is precious little left for grandmothers to do.
And what about grandfathers? How come they NEVER seem to get a mention? Are they all useless then?
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@lawson
A young athlete that I know of, chased the phone snatcher straight home and took back her phone from him. Then reported the matter to the police. Since he was young and foolish he was reprimanded and discharged. He straightened up and when he meets the not so young anymore gal in ‘town he thanks her for saving him from a life of crime. He has since confessed that he though that the young gal was going to kill him.
It is a pity that you let your phone go so easily.
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Now Sweet Sunday Sermon has kicked the bucket BU should have a Mellow Monday Musings thread
The Book of Revelations is not the end of the world but is the end of the Bible and people can stop reading it.
Rihanna and Bolt became known for being top of their game.
Rihanna was like Madonna who out shone all other lady singers but in the Hip Hop tradition eventually matured into a business brand.
“In other words your average Kenyans are not potential world class beaters.”
Those who run walk and cycle long distances everyday are fitter than those that don’t. It’s all relative.
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More Mellow Monday Musings
Privatised profits for prisons is the new slavery
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In 2002 CAC Games in Barbados did any of you attend to cheer the unknown 15 year old Jamaican lad Usain Bolt on.
No???
Why not???
At the Summer Olympics in 2004..he failed to even make it out of his heat in the 200-meter dash.
But he took the Olympics by storm in 2008 at the Summer Games in Beijing. That year, he won gold medals in both the 100m and 200m sprint.
What support are any of wunna offering to our 15 year old athletes NOW??? Busfare? Lunch money? Transportation home after practice? A glass of water? Track shoes? A math or English lessons teacher?
Nothing???
A lotta long talk???
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Come to the Cool Church
the DJ plays Hip Hop
Higher
You keep taking me higher, higher (Yeah)
But don’t you know that the devil is a liar? (I know)
They’d rather see me down, put my soul in the fire
But we keep goin’ higher, higher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPC9VID6M9s
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Becoming best is an everyday process of becoming better
#TheMindsetOfAWinner #Motiversity #KobeBryant
THE MINDSET OF A WINNER | Kobe Bryant Champions Advice
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Good morning,
I am in a good mood but feeling devilish..
How do you break a 16-year old record get five gold medals and not be the “Most Outstanding Senior Female”? Is she considered a Junior??
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Aren’t Kobe Bryant and his daughter not both dead, dead, dead.
Isn’t it true that perhaps neither he, nor his daughter, nor seven others would be dead if he wasn’t so super-competitive that he seemed to believe that he could compete successfully against bad weather.
We all have to learn to accept limitations, even “winners” like Kobe Bryant.
Mother Nature has a million ways to ensure that we comply with established limitations, or else…
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Despite the success of Jamaica in track and field, what are they complaining about you may ask?
https://nationwideradiojm.com/usain-bolts-criticism-of-corporate-jamaica-for-failing-to-support-athletes-prior-to-olympics-draws-mixed-feedback/
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Source: Nation
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Source: Nation
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Source: Nation
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Stephen Lashley be quiet!
Source: Nation
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Stoute should know, he was part of the problem.
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All these things are obvious. One’s biochemistry is only a part, albeit a major part of what makes a successful athlete.
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Source: Nation
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They never listen to those who have answers.
Attitude problem.
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