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My #TeamJamaica Rant

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by

Kristi
in



My Tribute to Asafa Powell

asafa powellWell Jamaica just won again and we never had any doubt that they’d bring home gold from the London 2012 Olympics. I’m just as proud as everyone to see the men’s 100m runners took it home! HOWEVER….I’m disappointed to say the very least, in the sportsmanship of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake.

I’ve been waiting for these Olympics for 3.5 years….ever since Jamaica swept the 2008 track events. And I’ve been watching Asafa Powell run since the 2004 Olympic games. I almost feel like people forgot that Powell once was the worlds fastest man, even though he’s never finished well in the Olympic 100 meters. And ummm….HELLOOOOO….he qualified for the FINALS so he’s definitely NOT a loser!

asafa powell What really makes me mad is that his teammates basically treated him like a loser the minute they went and basked in the glory of being winners. But you know what? In my eyes that turned the two winners into giant losers. That’s almost like soldiers leaving behind an injured man while saying, “He was gonna die anyway”. What would have been an absolute SHINING moment at the end of that race is if the two of them would have gone back and at least bigged him up and shared the flag waving with him.

So I’m proud and happy as hell that AGAIN Jamaica is at the forefront of the world with their Olympic performance but the win was bittersweet for me. It was hard to even celebrate it because of what happened after the race. As I commented in a Facebook thread, the Grenadian 400m semi-final winner treated the 8th place man who wasn’t even on his team with more respect than Bolt and Blake treated Asafa.

SAWRY…..that’s just what I think!

And YES Asafa, my schedule is open now that Busy Signal is in jail.
Let’s go for dinner!

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asafa powell

Comments

17 responses to “My #TeamJamaica Rant”

  1. Janet Davis..(.England and Jamaica) Avatar
    Janet Davis..(.England and Jamaica)

    I’m in total agreement with you but at the end of the day, Bolt and Blake were being just what they are….Jamaicans…..and if you know Jamaicans as well as I do….they only look out for themselves because they are No.1 and as you say were basking in the glory of their wins so after all why should they bother about Asafa when they are in the limelight because they are the only ones who matter!
    Ive been living amongst Jamaicans for a very long time and this is the one quality I hate about them…..selfish!

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      I would never block anyone’s opinions, I agree we’re all entitled to feel how we feel.

      I highly doubt Bolt could ever feel bad about anything as long as he wins LOL. And he’s had nuff moments. But I’ve watched him over the years and when he races alongside Asafa he always ignores him at the finish line. Sure didn’t look like he ignored Blake today though.

      Anyways, at the end of the day it is what it is. Asafa has always been my fav since 2004 and I was hoping for him to finish WELL today so he could maybe wrap up his career with a great performance. Not saying he should retire but I do believe an Olympic medal (other than relays) should be hanging in his trophy case!

      Reply
  2. Cassandra Avatar
    Cassandra

    The 400M is a different issue. He had more time to think and reach. Plus, different circumstances. think they were just euphoric. Let’s bask in the moment and don’t let them feel bad. If they read this now, they will feel bad. Asafa had his moments. Let’s not take away theirs.

    Reply
  3. Ayo! Avatar
    Ayo!

    Saw a tweet by Bolt wishing him to get well soon and acknowledging him as the first to have gotten to such a stage! Either way it’s clear that they got caught up in the moment! I do feel for Powell knowing that many are beating down on him…. I not being that much of a sports fan just wish them all well .. the ladies and gents alike! The lime light doesn’t last long so I do not blame them for soaking it all up!

    Reply
  4. Richard Needham Avatar
    Richard Needham

    It’s quite possible that he didn’t feel like he should be part of the celebration or that he dissapeared altogether after the race.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      He was down on the track for a little bit looking sad and discouraged. Long enough for his teammates to check on him….but they didn’t.

      Like I said, it is what it is but it looks bad on the sportsmanship level. People all over the net are doggin’ on Oprah for making an ignorant statement about a culture she doesn’t know…..so I feel fine about doggin’ some athletes who disrespected their teammate LOL.

      Reply
  5. Joy Avatar
    Joy

    Now Kristi, you wrote this because Asafa is HOT.. which I totally agree with you but that being said, remember Bolt and Blake train together every day,. Asafa runs for a different club. And even though all three represented Jamaica, sometimes people get caught up in the moment. And whether it is good or bad Bolt now has an image to uphold and sponsors to please.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      LOOOOOOOOOOOL Joy you caught me! Yes he IS hot AND he’s a Spanish Town boy so I gotta love him. But that’s not why I wrote it. You make good points and I respect that, I just didn’t like it is all.

      Reply
  6. joy Avatar
    joy

    Hey Kristi now that we know that Asafa has a groin injury, why do I think you are in Ochi setting up a massage table just for him???

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      DWL Joy!!!! I never even thought about that ***runs off to get a plane ticket***

      Hahahaha

      Reply
  7. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Ahhh no I didn’t even know that. Poor Asafa, but as you say, not congratulating another team member just makes it bitter-sweet. From what I saw while watching the Olympics, Blake and Bolt were just two chill characters so maybe they just caught up in the moment. I love your blog by the way, I’ve been looking for a blog about Jamaica for ages! xxx

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Thanks Natasha! Glad you found me.

      I think the TRUE test of Bolt and Blake will be in the 200m final…..whether or not they acknowledge the new guy Warren Weir, regardless of how he finishes.

      Reply
  8. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    No problem, I love your blog and I completely agree, I hope they do acknowledge Warren. Nothing worse than bad sportsmanship to me. xxx

    Reply
  9. Joy Avatar
    Joy

    Hi Kristi, just a few hours to go til the 200. Just some info for you,.. Warren runs for the Racers track club too and his nickname is ” Gazaman” I’m sure Bolt and Blake will acknowledge him. I am concerned with YOUR MAN Asafa not in th 4×100. I’m sure the line up will be Bolt Frater, Blake and Carter. will seem strange not seeing the Big Man there. you finish up your “quick study” to be a massage therapist so you can work on Asafa??? LOL

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      LOL at the massage therapy. A groin massage?? Aaahahahah!

      That 4X100 lineup doesn’t sound bad though. Frater and Carter have run for Jamaica lots and always pull through. We’ll get it done and take home Gold. As for Gaza man, I’m really excited to watch him in 2 hours!

      Reply
  10. Kerri Avatar
    Kerri

    Hi Kristi,
    I agree with you somewhat on this blog. I love, adore, respect Asafa and know he deserves all the very best. I do agree that people tends to forget that Asafa set the trend and really deserves a lot more respect than he has receive and I always want winners to celebrate with all their country women/men regardless of how they finish. But I have come to accept that Bolt is more a paid personality and Blake is trying to follow in that foot step. One note, I did hear Bolt big up Asafa in one of his American interview. I certainly do not believe we Jamaicans are any more selfish than any other country, I just think those guys let the moment goes to their head and if you were watching closely the other finishers in the race had to seek out Bolt to celebrate with.

    Anyway Kristi, been reading your blog for a while and just had to put in my support of my favorite man Asafa. I was praying for him this Olympics so bad. He is such a gentleman and I hope he gets well soon.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Thanks for the comment Kerri! I just love Asafa’s humble demeanor too.

      Reply

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