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Twenty years of Olympic Games promises

Wayne Cadogan

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Submitted by Wayne Cadogan

For the past five Olympics it has been the norm after an Olympics Games for the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) officials to make a public statement about a four-year plan of promises for the next Olympics. It now appears as if the mantle has been passed on to the current government and its Sports Minister [Charles Griffith] to come up with that plan after another dismal showing at this year’s Olympics. I do not expect anything to change and it will be another four years of promises from the shareholders and government. This has been the case with both administrations over the years, especially with the promise of a new stadium which has been on the cards for twenty years or more.

Past government administrations have never taken sports seriously and do not see it as a major national importance. I understand quite well the reason because sports is seen mainly as a recreational activity across the board.

The last time that there was a Senior International Track meet in Barbados was in the 1990’s and for the Juniors, the 30th CARIFTA games in 2001. Many people as well as the various sports organizations will want to lay blame to the fact that we do not have a stadium of International standard. I was one of those who was advocating for a stadium until recent years.

Having not seen progress over the years of our sports program and the rapid advancement of the other islands surpassing us by leaps and bounds, it would not be fair for the government to spend tax payers money to invest in a new stadium. Why, if there is no returns on the investment down the road?

There are two main problems that have always faced Barbados sports, one is a lack of a proper sports program and secondly the people involved in the various sports organisations do not get involved for the love of the sport, rather for personal gain, the perks. There are many square pegs in round holes involved in sports. There are individuals who would like to contribute but because many sports associations is a fraternity of friends from the who is who in the society they prefer to remain on the outside.

The 2028 Olympics will come and it will be the same old, same old promises not fulfilled. The same business as in past Olympics. Promises of getting on the podium, athletes not reaching the qualifying standards, not getting past the first round and officials galore going on a shopping spree. Maybe, our administrators and coaches can approach the so-called small islands for advice – To discover reasons for sucess over the years while Barbados is at a stand still and falling behind. 

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34 responses to “Twenty years of Olympic Games promises”

  1. Terence M Blackett Avatar
    Terence M Blackett

    WHICH CRYSTAL-BALL-GAZING ALCHEMIST CAN 4-SURE 4-SEE THAT THE CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS aka #LosAngeles WILL INDEED HOST THE GAMES OF THE XXXIV OLYMPIAD ON JULY 14 – 30, 2028 – THE 3RD OF ITS KIND SINCE 1932 & 1984???

    What a #CruelIrony awaits those who “PLAN” for the best – then 2 be startled 4 dear life – encumbered by the worst!!!!

    READ THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL FOLKS – THE SIGNPOSTS ARE 2 CLEAR 2 IGNORE!!!

  2. Terence M Blackett Avatar
    Terence M Blackett

    IT WAS THE SWASTIKA IN 1936 UNDER HERR HITLER – WILL IT BE AMERIKKKA’s VERSION UNDER HERR TRUMP???

    Life is full of quirks, quarks & quandaries – let’s see what will be the “CYCLICAL NATURE” this time around!!!

    #StayTuned

  3. Terence M Blackett Avatar
    Terence M Blackett

    AS THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE SCUPPER TO PUT THE CARRIAGE IN FRONT THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STAMPEDING BLACK STALLION – THE UNTHINKABLE OCCURS – CEMENTING THE FEARS GOVs ET AL HAD ALL ALONG – DESTRUCTION*

    Mankind will “CREATE” his own “DEMISE” – so let us not “BLAME GOD” for our callous “FOLLY”!!!

  4. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Every single word in this article is true…. except that it has been even more than twenty years.

    Another blatant example of clowns in charge.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    https://youtu.be/MkKECXQatoQ

    https://youtu.be/kJMQHtLpKmU

    https://youtu.be/RWuhP3D5kxM

  6. The OG Avatar
    The OG

    I am not convinced that an Olympic stadium will bring medals to Barbados. India with a very large population and I am certain with great stadiums did very poorly at the Olympics.

    We must find a way to identify, develop and reward our talented athletes. Some display a great deal of talent in their younger years and then we have a falling off?

    Instead of being a nation of bad workmen and blaming or tools (stadium) or lack of tools; instead of throwing money at the problem and the usual suspects, we should spend some time investigating the fall-off. Let’s get our athletes, trainers and sports psychologists at the table and find out what the issues are.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    Because large countries with quality stadia have not produced it does not mean we should dismiss the fact top performing countries have good facilities. Obviously it calls for more that improved physical infrastructure BUT good physical infrastructure is a basic requirement to achieve success.

  8. de Pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de Pedantic Dribbler

    Yes David but one excellent stadium will not resolve the main problem. Moreover, the question can be asked: are Olympic or World Championship medals really the primary metric for success !

    Keeping it simple, should we not be overjoyed at the large number of Bajans who have been elevated to awesome career success and made an excellent life for themselves (and family) as a result of our athletic programs!

    Perhaps I am merely looking for a silver lining in this otherwise drab cloud but there are many young men and women outta Kolig, Foundation, QC, Cawmere, CP, Ellerslie etc who left these shores on scholarship and although they never got to Olympics or Worlds … they got a great education and are outstanding successes in their fields of endeavor.

    Just saying!

    Lots of men and women play football or soccer, run track or play BBalll in US colleges … rubbing shoulders with future millionaires like a champion Noah Lyles, a LeBron or Patrick McMahones … and NEVER get anywhere near a podium after school … yet the system have not failed them!

    So yes we NEED some top line success but the lack thereof is not itself an abject fail!

  9. David Avatar
    David

    Seriously Dee Word?

    You were obviously unable to do a pulse check of the excitement level on the ground for those who had unrealistic expectations of Sada in the finals. She did well but Bajans were deflated because she didn’t medal.

  10. de Pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de Pedantic Dribbler

    LOL, yes David seriously !

    Alas, I was unfortunately not in that Sada space!

    But I was there many times before ; like when Barny Lynch took on the then Olympic champ Hasley Crawford from TnT, I was sneaking away at Waterford, of course; or when Oba did his thing and very laughingly (on reflection now) in Port of Spain in hopes that a supposedly strong Bdos would beat a Latapy led TnT team in a World Cup qualifier🤷🏿‍♂️! That was a disappointment 🙃

    So trust me bro I get the vibe of fanatic support for a Bajan victory but now a half century + years later I also get the realism of life, too!

    So I still reason that our programs have generated much success even as things have been rather barren on the trophy shelves !

    Do we talk of the youngsters who have gotten scholarships based on their hockey or soccer skills or otherwise and have made the absolute best of that … when they would have otherwise NEVER had the type of life succes in this lil village we call Bim.

    Let’s be very real.

  11. David Avatar
    David

    Oh

    ABOUT-TURN

    Lynch says it’s time for overhaul of sports model

    By Mike King mikeking@nationnews.com

    Stressing it can’t be business as usual, Athletic Association of Barbados (AAB) president Noel Lynch, says the time has come where the strategic plan and the coaching structure for local sports has to change if this country is to make an impact on the international stage.

    Lynch told Weekend Sport he would like to see an end to the days when members of national associations are running around at the last minute trying to secure funds for travel and accommodation of Barbados teams. He says it was important that national federations had certainty of financial resources at the start of every season.

    “This year’s CARIFTA Games to Grenada cost the AAB $100 000. The Government, through the National Sports Council, gave us 50 per cent of that money but the other $50 000 we had to look for. How did we get it, the private sector, children raising money in the school, doing all of these minor fund-raising activities, which is unsustainable in this day and age. “I believe that every federation before the financial year begins, when the National Sports Council or the Ministry of Sports, are putting together their programme, everyone should be made to submit a four-year development plan, that can be submitted every year, and you can submit a budget and then you know for certainty at the beginning of the year what your resources are going to be.

    “It is important to submit a budget, and based on your development, based upon the success of your sport, you will have a good idea of what you are going to get every year and that will give us a better opportunity to be able to then go to the private sector,” he said.

    Lynch said that sport was a much more costly venture these days, hence the need for more strategic planning.

    “Before the season starts, we have to do things to propel us forward because things have changed. When you have a track and field meet now, all of the officials we have to clothe them, we have to feed them, we have to pay a stipend to certain people, we have to maintain a data base.

    Lynch said he will soon be meeting with his team to outline a strategic plan “which will allow us to do exactly what we want to do”.

    “What are we going to do for the next four or five years? What are the key performance indicators that you want? What are the goals and objectives that you have?

    “I would like to set some goals to say that by 2028, we have four Olympic finalists, two medals. I am not saying we are going to win two medals but we must have performance indicators like the Central American and Caribbean (CAC)

    and the Commonwealth Games.”

    Lynch called for the creation of a national junior coach.

    “We have reached the stage where we may have to change administratively the coaching structure of Barbados. There is a probability we may need to create the position of national junior coach, and a national junior squad that is prepared and ready from September onwards.

    “Even though you have your own coach and school, you need to spend one day a week, or two days, with the national training squad so you can be exposed to the best opportunities we have on island in your particular event,” he added.

    Concerned that the National Stadium remains unavailable for use, Lynch made a plea for the installation of a track.

    “We need our own track. We can’t be going all the time to the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, having to pay for the use of the facility and not be sure if we are always going to be able to use it for training and everything. Those days are over.”

    Source: Nation

  12. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    While Barney’s comments are fair, we need to appreciate there are a lot of medals beyond Track. Which is also the most competitive of events. Two island nations medalled in Field events. The pool is also wickedly competitive. And forget Diving, unless you can strike a deal with China for coaching, as they own that. Weight lifting was something Barbados was competitive in, and it seems to be off the radar of several big nations.
    This is what is done. Analyse the events, spot the opportunities and execute. Not easy, because many are doing this.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    Good point NO. Track is the glamour event but it gives us the opportunity to create a reputation in field giving consideration to our national strengths as a people as a count.

  14. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Step one:
    Get rid of the gang of jokers (starting with Lynch) who have been rotating positions in sport for the last twenty years WITH NOTHING TO SHOW. But who continue to make promises of change EVERY DAMN four years – just like our failed politicians do.

    All that is needed to do so, is to insist that they PERSONALLY pay 50% of their frequent overseas jaunts, and PUBLISH the financial accounts of ALL sports associations.

    Then perhaps we will start to see results like St Lucia and Grenada… (and even like Jamaica – in twenty years or so)

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    We have this deference for politicians and other professionals that overrides common sense. Why should Lynch be seen as the perfect czar to manage the AAA like Ronald Jones the BFA?

  16. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    We keep doing things the same way and expect different results. Here some examples of how we have treated and continue to treat our best athletic/sporting talent:
    Sir Charles Griffith was a part of the one of the greatest fast bowling attacks in cricket history. He got his highest honor several years after his partner : Sir Wesley Hall. We have MPs who got the honor almost as soon as they left parliament. To this day we can’t seriously point to what were their greatest achievements .
    Our national football captain was a greeter/ doorman at a hotel;
    One of our greatest power lifters won medals and then returned to work as a butcher lifting the carcasses of pigs and cows in the public market;
    And then to crown it all, the taxpayers are dishing out a $100,000 for a football tournament. Nothing wrong with that, but we are playing for the Prime Ministers Cup.
    We talk about honoring sports people but we cannot even bring ourselves to even name a trophy/tournament after them !
    Imagine we can’t find goal bars for primary school footballers; our youngsters are asked to have sports day on pastures with the grass taller than some of the runners and we can go on and on.
    Once more @ Bush Tea has hit the nail on the head : recycling jokers is our biggest problem. They promising two Olympic medals but can’t even cut the grass at the primary schools. More Bull shit and sweet talk .

  17. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Stadiums are for the crowds to watch events, which may inspire a next generation to pursue their dreams to compete in sports.

    As a side note Barbados has high levels of diabetes which could be managed by performing 5 minutes of exercise after meals to lower blood sugar spike levels after eating, which also helps people stop gaining weight.

    A sports and fitness program for health and wellness should be encouraged for everyone starting from pre-school age up to old age, irregardless of abilities to compete at elite levels.

  18. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    David, the deference invariably starts on solid evidence … it’s the later absurd BS as noted by the Bush Sage and Skinner that causes the heart ache!

    Barny Lynch has been in the mix of the athletic world ‘since before’ ’76 when he was challenging an Olympic gold medallist on a newish Waterford stadium track.

    Thus @Northern I was shocked that you gave him ANY props for his lazy, hazy insanely trite remarks: A strategic plan, a change of course, really. After these almost 50 years as a key player and administrator in Bim in athletics and beyond, he NOW understands that!

    So David why do we keep deferring to BS well … 1) the new brooms often sweep with limited cleanliness and 2) these fellas do everything to keep new brooms out anyhow!

  19. David Avatar
    David

    @dee word

    Yours is a rhetorical inquiry?

    We do not promote a culture of excellence.

    We do not embrace meritocracy.

    Should we go on?

  20. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    de childrun kant reed nor rite. de children kant spel dog shiite.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/08/23/literacy-task-force-sounds-alarm-on-declining-reading-levels/

  21. David Avatar
    David

    @Hants

    CXC issued a statement last week about declining grades in mathematics as well.

  22. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “de childrun kant reed nor rite. de children kant spel dog shiite.”

    pooters in the modern world changed tings
    they don’t read books anymore
    in the digital age kids can’t read the time from those old fashion analog clocks or watches they use phones instead
    🕛🕧🕐🕜🕑🕝🕒

  23. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    The simple truth is that five decades ago one might have found those getting through because of party affiliation, blessed with some identifiable quality that would have reached , the basic level of some known achievement. Nowadays, we are saddled with clowns, who have been immaculate failures , in almost every given task, but we continue to give them titles and responsibilities , with no known track record.
    We now have so-called future PMs leading political parties, who after being judged by their “ peers” to have the academic skills, to have been awarded a PhD, cannot even understand the Constitution , of their political party.
    So, in this barren environment we would come up with a plan that in four years will “ produce” athletes, that can win Olympic medals but cannot configure how to get goal bars or somebody to cut grass before sports day.
    And now having problems in getting three regular players , in a West Indies cricket team ; we are going to invest ten million dollars , to build an indoor cricket facility, that will become a “ factory” producing world class cricketers.
    A whole lot of Blarney we say, Or is it Barney ?

  24. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    At least most of the other joke leaders in sports have the sense (or shame) to keep their mouths shut, and try to hold a low profile… But any kind of review will show that the very same small set of parasites hang around, year after year, enjoying the various perks that are financed quite handsomely by the lottery, government and private agencies.
    To the tune of $millions each year.

    BUT still we have NO LOCAL FACILITIES FOR ATHLETES or for spectators to show support.

    Cricket is getting worse and worse…. we still have to refer back to Sobers, Hall and Haynes for examples of excellence.

    Football is essentially dead. Now a ‘block sport’ that has zero discipline, and we cannot even compete with Nevis.

    The other olympic sports are mostly complete jokes. These are essentially extensions of the academic mis-direction that has dominated ‘Eddykashun in brassbados’ now since1980. With FEW exceptions, these ‘sports’ are MAINLY geared to getting academic scholarships.

    Meanwhile, a significant number of world class talents have passed through the system and been STIFLED by the self-focused jokers in charge….
    Ask Oba, W Louis, Kierrie, etc.
    If Sada did not opt for Jamaica…..!!!!

    These (and others) are talents that could have been the equivalent of Bolt and Thompson-Herah – if they had been born in Jamaica…or now it seems, St Lucia.

    But in Brassbados, we HOLD ON TO THE CLOWNS in charge, and dispense with the young talented resources…

    What a place!!

  25. David Avatar
    David

    Does the blog need reminding it was Barney who triggered the decision to start BU because of his ungentlemanly reaction to Adrian Loveridge invited to sit in the same VOB studio in 2007. Loveridge had to sit in a separate studio. It boggles the mind why it was allowed by the station.

    Some may say he was good for something.

  26. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Barney Lynch
    Is this the same Barney who chastised Oba publicly because he wasn’t deferential enough to him? Oba the only Bajan to win an individual; medal at the Olympic games?

  27. The OG Avatar
    The OG

    NO 8/23/2024 6:51 a.m

    You get it.

    Elsewhere, I have pointed at pointed that do not require a stadium and are less expensive and we may be able to compete in. Like other sports what is required are time and practice. I have not removed diving from this list of sports for I believe if a person dedicated the next three years to jumping off a board he/she will develop some expertise. I am not joking.

    I also suggested taking a look at rhythmic gymnastics and now I will go even further as I cannot end there.

    Perhaps, it is time to accept that we are not a nation of sprinters and put more of our money and energy elsewhere. Of course, we should support our children in their different endeavors, but St Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad, Jamaica and St Vincent getting T&F gold medals does not mean that we are due an Olympic medal soon.
    –x–
    I was one of those Bajans who were wishing well for Sada. During the year we have seen her participating in ‘big races’ and just being out of the winners circle. In group discussions, we were placing her in the top ten in the world and she confirmed this by making the finals. These Olympic races are just a snapshot in time and I was hoping that she could find that little burst of speed and the extra stamina that would place her on the podium.

  28. The OG Avatar
    The OG

    One of the problems facing CXC this year is an increase of the use of electronic devices to cheat (54 cases). These were the students that were caught.

    Sometimes, I wonder is CXC is so focused on making and delivering ‘test kits’ that other parts of the process are neglected. They end up with the ‘perfect exam’ in a deeply flawed process.

    CXC needs to sit down and map out the complete process, look at strengths and weaknesses, what is being done correctly, what was done incorrectly, what was ignored and then try to resolve those issues. I am convinced that there are large gaps in the game plan.

  29. The OG Avatar
    The OG

    Elsewhere, I have pointed out that may not require a stadium as there are less expensive and we may be able to compete in. Just like other sports these require time and practice but not a large outlay of funds.

    (typo Friday)

  30. David Avatar
    David

    Barbados has not been able to host top class athletics and track and field in Barbados although there is the private facility at Usain Bolt. Whe shouldn’t we have a proper stadium to satisfy standards. The point is that the Chinese has given us a grant for the new multipurpose stadium (emphasis on multipurpose) therefore outlay of capital for such is moot.

  31. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Upkeep / maintenance. That is the problem in Barbados.

    Building a new stadium is great but it must be maintained and upgraded as necessary.

  32. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Condolences to the family and friends of Rudolph “cappy ” Greenidge.

    https://barbados.loopnews.com/content/cappy-greenidge-funeral-service-friday

  33. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Barbados could be world class.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2024/08/23/international-hockey-festival-semis-coming-up/

  34. David Avatar
    David

    Has something snapped with Sada?

    Sada struggles at Diamond League

    CHORZOW – World-class Barbadian quarter-miler Sada Williams finished down the field in the 400 metres at the Silesia Diamond League yesterday.

    Williams, 26, a finalist at the Paris Olympics, was a disappointing eighth in 50.82 seconds.

    The day was dominated by two world records. Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen shattered the longstanding 3 000 metres world record by more than three seconds while Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis broke his own pole vault world record by clearing 6.26 metres.

    Ingebrigtsen finished in a time of seven minutes 17.55 seconds, erasing the record set by Kenya’s Daniel Komen in 1996 when he ran 7:20.67. It was the longest-standing men’s athletics world record in individual track events.

    Duplantis broke the world record for the 10th time, beating the 6.25m he cleared after defending his Olympic title in Paris earlier this month, marking the third time this year he has broken his own record.

    Such is his dominance in the sport that the top 10 marks in the event all belong to the 24-year-old. The next best mark is 6.16m, held by France’s 2012 Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie.

    Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino continued her dominance in the women’s 400 metres, while Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, Tia Clayton and Shanieka Ricketts all won their respective events.

    Paulino, 27, the Olympic champion, set a new meet record of 48.66 seconds in a race that featured the same top three finishers as the Paris Olympics, with Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain second in 49.23 and Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek grabbing bronze in 49.95.

    Nugent was also spectacular on her way to winning the women’s 100-metre hurdles in a meet record 12.29 seconds, just outside her personal best and national record 12.28 seconds.

    Grace Stark of the United States was second in 12.37 seconds to narrowly edge out Nugent’s fellow Jamaican Danielle Williams (12.38). Olympic champion, Masai Russell of the United States finished fourth in 12.40 seconds.

    Meanwhile, Clayton pipped Ivory Coast’s Marie Jose Ta Lou-Smith and Tamari Davis in a thrilling finish to the women’s 100 metres.

    Clayton won gold in a wind-aided 10.83 seconds, the same time as Lou-Smith who finished second, while Davis was a close third in 10.84 seconds in a blanket finish.

    Also in winners’ row was Ricketts, whose leap of 14.50 metres could not be matched in the women’s triple jump.

    Ackeem Blake rounded out an outstanding performance by Caribbean athletes at the meet when he finished third in the men’s 100 metres in 9.89 seconds, equalling his personal best.

    The event was won by Fred Kerley of the USA in 9.87 seconds, with Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya finishing second in 9.88 seconds. (CMC/Reuters)

    Source: Nation

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