That Fighting Spirit

I got into a contention with a certain sports journalist some time ago in regard to the whole fiasco regarding Daren Sammy’s dismissal from the West Indies T20 cricket team. I was one of those in favour of the boycotting of the match and pubic protest. I also stated that I was dissatisfied with the gracious way in which Daren accepted the news. I forwarded that our sports ministry should vehemently respond to some unsavoury articles making the rounds on global news platforms. I also vowed that any response must be well planned and strategic.

There were a lot of hopes that Levern Spencer would have brought home the first Olympic medal and I think she may still be able to. The jumper who captured the gold medal was 37. The criticism of Lervern’s failure to medal, by some, was vehement and the reaction by others was flowery. On my Monday radio talk show on Liberty FM this week I explored the reactions. I also asked whether there has been any athlete who has committed suicide because of poor or disappointing representation of their country on the world stage or more so because of the native’s reaction to it. I suspect there has been. If you are reading this and you can point to any such case, do let me know ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>).

Our criticism should not be that incisive so as to drive someone to that point neither should our flowery praises void them of needed self-introspection. I have never gotten a medal for high jumping and for some that means I cannot be critical. Hello! I am with Darnley Lebourne with his contribution to Newspin earlier this week. Like him I did not think that Lervern’s performance demonstrated that fighting spirit, that grit, that winning spirit. Even her post performance interview demonstrated a lack of resolve.

In Saint Lucia we have a tendency to allow people, foreigners especially, to walk over us and so they find us to be “nice and hospitable”.

Hotel staff are treated like dogs and don’t ask for some of those domestic workers who work for some of the wealthy expatriates who buy out our prime lands and establish themselves here like they are part of the igneous rock formation that brought this pearl of an island into being.

I suggest that Levern has a sit down with Rick. Yes I speak of Rick Wayne. And I am not here talking about an interview. Mr. Wayne is of the winner’s league. He cannot transfer that winning, never-say-die attitude into anyone but he sure can inspire it. Am I proud of Lervern Spencer? To hell I am. Could she have done better. By her own admission, she could have. So please don’t go spreading your flowery perfume. “Levern we’re proud of you. You did your best.” We have to be honest. Levern did not do her best. But here’s to 2020. And don’t get me started on sponsorship. That’s another entire article and a few days.