Orville Taylor | No Türkiye: Who cries foul?

Although he went to Rabalac, Fedrick Dacres is one of the closest athletes to me ever. He and Kai Chang are such decent human beings who love their sport and their country. It was a proud struggle watching them balance their studies, work and training. Fact is, apart from the marquee events of the 100 and a lesser extent, the 200 metres, athletes do not get lots of attention and certainly do not receive top billing or remuneration.

Money ranks third behind water and oxygen. However much an individual loves his job or country, he has to feed himself.

Some of us because of our association with athletes might have an idea about what it is like to be in their ‘circle’. However, unless you have been in the throwers’ shoes, it is impossible to imagine what they go through.

We have a bias towards short sprinters. For example, inasmuch as he opened the door for the new era in Jamaican sprinting, and set the foundation for Usain Bolt to feel comfortable training in this country, Asafa Powell has not done what Omar McLeod the sprint hurdler, has; world and Olympic gold. Deon Hemmings, 30 years ago brought glory to this nation, accomplishing a feat hitherto unachieved by any female, including the venerated legendary Merlene Ottey. Yet, Powell has a statue at the National Stadium and Jamaicans know exactly what he has done. Now, if Powell, by his own admission, can express regrets and disappointment for how Jamaica has rewarded him, just imagine then, athletes who compete in less glamorous events?

Indeed, even among sprinters there is always a possibility of disappearing under the shadow of national negligence, especially during the Bolt era.

Be honest! Apart from Bolt, no human has ever run faster than Yohan Blake over the 100 and 200 metres. World Championship gold when Bolt faltered, and Olympic and World championship silver medals, Blake only got national honours last year.

So, here is the reality. Track and field is one of the poorer paying sports. Unlike soccer, formula one racing, NFL football, NBA basketball and others, where even journeymen are nicely paid, only a few superstars make a comfortable living from track.

Almost nobody who throws anything except words, makes money from field. And unless it is discus, spelled with an extra ‘S’, it is a lot of chat and little money.

Moreover, the Jamaican public, can be very ungrateful. Hardly anyone remembers that Dacres is the national record holder for sailing the heavy Frisbee. No one showed any sympathy, when he finished just outside of the medals, despite having a seriously injured throwing finger. Everyone forgot that he had previously won an unprecedented World Championship silver.

Although I do not know McLeod personally, it takes a special analysis to understand why his lack of recognition never led to a fissure with the Jamaican athletics fraternity.

Be not mistaken however, while I fully understand why any field athlete would consider being ‘mercenary’, this is in no way endorsing any decision to switch allegiance due to financial and other incentives.

My personal orientation, is that it is an honour to be ‘smaddyified’ and represents one’s nation. Being at international conferences, representing Jamaica as a former bureaucrat or simply being in the crowd at an event,was extremely gratifying and fulfilling.

As Africanist as I am, any corruption of the black, gold and green, with an insertion of red, is a violation. Still, as we talk patriotism, and allegiance to the country, we should not forget that to date, it was because of the allegiance switch of Robbie Earle, Deon Burton and others, that we made it to the World Cup.

Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga was not born here, neither was Rita Marley nor the late Ambassador Dudley Thompson. Lest we forget, while we yearned for a credible 200 metres runner after Usain Bolt retired, American=born Andrew Hudson stepped up for us. Similarly Lana Tava Thomas made the switch for us, and that same year American born Skylar Franklin was getting ready to switch to run for Jamrock.

Still, while we have to be mindful of the ability of talented nationals to earn a living; the representation of a country is a big deal. Yet at the end of the day, a man has to make a decision that is best for him. It is with some sadness however, that the move by our four, who were transitioning to Turk citizenship, was thwarted in mid process.

Having gone through the procedure, it is extremely difficult to go back home. According to the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) they are welcome to sing Sankey and return to the fold with its full support. Yet, there will still be a cloud over their heads with whispers of betrayal and divided loyalties. Potentially, it is an irreparable breach, which perhaps will exacerbate mutual mistrust. Even their fellow athletes are likely to second guess their level of commitment.

For me, inasmuch as somewhere between World Athletics and the JAAA a ‘foul’ was called on the Türkiye play, athletes cannot live off chicken feed or any ‘poultry’ sum. True, there is a major danger in athletes being poached, and this must be regulated if not controlled.

Doing it post facto does not sit very well with me. Closing the gate after the goat has already been in another herd, will not make him want to stay.

Using an analogy from intimate relations; if she has made her mind up, for whatever reason, then going to court to block the divorce, is really a waste of time. If she wants to go, then let her go, because you get burned in the end.

Orville Taylor is senior lecturer at the Department of Sociology at The University of the West Indies, a radio talk-show host, and author of ‘Broken Promises, Hearts and Pockets’. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and tayloronblackline@hotmail.com.