IT IS WITH pleasure that we receive the news, as reported in yesterday's STAR, that the statue of Merlene Ottey has finally been put up.
It is a long overdue honour for a woman who contributed to Jamaica's track and field programme with distinction in two decades, from 1979 to 2000.
It is unfortunate that there has been such a long delay in putting up the statue, which had been completed at least three years prior to this year.
And it is extremely unfortunate that Ms. Ottey had to endure the public protests of younger and hotter heads at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, after which she chose to run for Slovenia.
A change is not tantamount to being a traitor, however, and the pride that Ottey brought as she battled sometimes suspiciously muscular folk is not transferable.
Unfortunately, we tend to forget the contribution of those who have gone before, especially prior to the intense television era, very quickly. This statue is a step in the right direction of preserving Ms. Ottey's legacy.
The official unveiling of the statue is yet to be done and we certainly hope that she will be present for the event. We also hope that not only the public but also her track and field contemporaries and descendants will turn out to honour her with their presence.
Because although a statue is meant to last and last into the future, presence in the present is important to the one who is being raised into a position of permanence.
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