Jamaican sprinters’ superiority stems from dedication, not drugs

“Wi likkle but wi tallawah,” a Jamaican phrase meaning we are small but we are strong—not to be underestimated.

For a small country, the impact that Jamaica has on the world is remarkable.

Jamaica is known for Bob Marley and reggae music, marijuana, and its beaches.

In recent years Jamaica has made an even greater impact in the track and field world. With times of 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds in the 100 and 200 meter respectively, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt is the fastest human who ever lived.

Track and field pundits are baffled by the success of Jamaica’s athletes in the sprint events. There are even speculations about drug usage; however, none of Jamaica’s prominent athletes have ever tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.

Most people are surprised to find out that “the Jamaicans”—as we are often called—who are in Chadron, don’t smoke, even though marijuana is all but legal in Jamaica.

But the question still remains, why are Jamaican track athletes so dominant, especially in the short sprint events?

Comments have been made that the ground produce grown and often consumed in Jamaica, such as yams, bananas, and sweet potatoes, are key components to the diet of champions.

Others say that the hilly terrain of the small island and the sandy beaches contribute to the success, by building strong muscles from a tender age by walking up the hills and on beaches.

The truth is, we train hard to be as good as we are now. I went out for track in high school (high school in Jamaica begins at grade seven), with Ackeem Smith, my best friend at the time.

We started track because we wanted something to do after school as opposed to going home to our chores and homework. Neither of us was good at any particular event, but the coach decided to work with us and had us try multiple things. We were so bad that the girls our age on the team would beat us.

Long story short, Ackeem and I improved enough to garner track scholarships and we are now amongst the best in our respective events.

Track and field to Jamaicans is like football to Americans. Just like an American family that gathers to watch football on TV, Jamaicans gather for track and field.

I remember watching the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the living room with my family, as Dion Hemmings won the 400m hurdles, becoming the first woman to win an Olympic gold for the country. Success at the international level resulted in increased interest locally.

There are interschool competitions for students as young as age five through to the collegiate level. The most prominent of these is the Boys and Girls Championships (a national competition for high schools), known as Champs for short.

Champs is the top annual sporting event on Jamaica’s athletic calendar at any level, in any sport. It is also the largest high school track and field event in the world.

Everyone shows up at the National Stadium to watch the young talent—the future Olympians—compete, including the Prime Minister, members of parliament, Olympians from other countries, the school community, relatives and friends. The atmosphere is comparable to the Super Bowl.

This year, they marked the centennial anniversary of the championships. There were approximately 3,000 competitors from 113 boys and 109 girls schools.

Over 25,000 spectators watched the final day of the four day event in a sold out stadium. I’m elated to add that my high school, Wolmer’s Boys’ High, took home the boys’ title.

Jamaican athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels endure rigorous training seasons. This is required of athletes everywhere, but it is the loyalty to training for track and field—track and field only—that results in less injuries to athletes and ultimately, an improvement in the respective events.

The discipline and commitment that is required by our coaches prevents most track athletes from getting involved in other sports.

Unlike American high school athletes, the Jamaican student-athletes are often given an ultimatum—track, or the other sport.

Jamaican athletes are undoubtedly at the top of their game now and may continue to dominate the sprinting events for the next few years.

Our success is due to our passion, culture, and commitment for the sport, backed by hard work and desire to do well.

This is summed up ideally by Kerron Stewart, Olympic silver and bronze medalist, in an interview after the 100 meter finals in Beijing.

Stewart was asked, “What is it about Jamaican sprinting at the moment?”

In her response, Stewart said, “We work for what we have, and we are on top right now, and we’re enjoying it.”