Don’t decry athletes – Samuda

PARIS, France:

Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Christopher Samuda has called for the Jamaican public to not decry Jamaica's Olympians in spite of an Olympic Games that has been challenging and not reflective in the number of medals that the country would have hoped for.

The Paris Olympics concluded yesterday at the Stade de France with the hosts handing over to Los Angeles, which will take over hosting in 2028, for the third time.

Jamaica leaves Paris with six medals: one gold, three silver and two bronze medals, their second lowest total since the 2000's.

It was a campaign that was plagued with misfortune and injuries, namely to double Olympic, and five-time World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and World 200m champion Shericka Jackson, forcing their withdrawal from competition.

Samuda is adamant that while it has not been without complications, the athletes should not be denounced for their efforts, but celebrated for the sacrifices they made to make the Olympics team.

"What we have to ensure is that at the end of the day we salute our athletes rather than decry our athletes. They have done exceptionally well. They have sacrificed a lot and this we should all applaud," Samuda said.

Samuda said that the misfortunes and injuries that have plagued Jamaica this year are part of the game.

"It's part of the territory and we cannot dwell on that. I feel that what we have to do is go back to the drawing board and see how best we can prepare our athletes," Samuda said.

In retrospect, Jamaica field events have been put in the spotlight by record breaking performances and milestones.

Roje Stona became Jamaica's first Olympic champion in the throws, winning the discus title with an Olympic record mark of 70 metres.

Rajindra Campbell began Jamaica's medal tally by claiming bronze in the shot put, Jamaica's first Olympic medal in the throws, before Stona struck gold.

Shanieka Ricketts became Jamaica's first Olympic triple jump medallist, winning silver in her event, and Wayne Pinnock won Jamaica's first men's long jump medal in 28 years when he also mined silver.

The country's campaign ended in frustration and disappointment on Saturday's final day of action at the Stade de France.

The mark of that frustration was highlighted in the women's 4x400m relay final where the Jamaica team of Stacey-Ann Williams, Andrenette Knight, Shian Salmon and Stephenie-Ann McPherson did not finish. Williams who replaced Ashley Williams from the first-round heat, ran a brilliant opening leg and handed the baton to Knight in a good position. Knight was third coming around the bend when the baton appeared to have been dislodged. Salmon, the other addition and McPherson could only watch as Jamaica's last chance to add to a medal faded.

The country also failed to medal in any of the relays.

The United States won in 3:15.27 minutes, with the Netherlands second in 3:19.50 and Great Britain third in 3:19.72.

It was far from the ending that McPherson had in mind for her final Olympics.

"We all came out here to do the best we can. Things happen we can't do anything about," said McPherson, who noted that replays showed the baton was knocked out Knight's hand by the Ireland runner on the second leg.

"I had to watch the replay three times before I knew what happened. The other team hit the baton from our athlete."

Salmon concurred: "At about 120m to go she was being overtaken by the Irish athlete and the Irish athlete hit it from her hand. That's what I saw from where I was standing."

For Salmon, the disappointment was intense because they felt that they were more than capable of getting on the podium.

"This was in our opinion based on the belief system that we had we were not supposed to miss this podium. The times that came second and third were well within reach. But things happen that we have no control over sometimes," Salmon said.

The US men won the men's 4x400m title in an Olympic record 2:54.43. Botswana finished second in 2:54.53 and Great Britain third (2:55.83).

National champion and record holder Ackera Nugent did not finish in the women's 100m hurdles final after clipping the first hurdle and failing to recover. America's Masai Russell, the fastest woman in the world this year, claimed the title in 12.33. France's Cyrena Samba-Mayela got silver in 12.34 for the country's first athletics medal of the Games. Former Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho Quinn was third in 12.36.

Nugent said that while she got an excellent start, but could not control the momentum to sustain her throughout the race.

"There is a lot to take away from the race. But at the same time I am grateful because at the end of the day I was able to show up today. If it was the grace of the Lord it would have happened. And my time is not yet. So I have to give God the glory as he continues to work through me.

Romaine Beckford finished 10th in the men's high jump final with 2.24m, his best clearance. He wasn't able to go over 2.27, which his is personal best.

"This Olympics may not have been the best for everybody but it does show the quality of athletes that we've got in the field and I feel it's like a new star in the sky," Beckford said.