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We
looking for horn
We
lost the bride the day before the wedding! When is love simply
not enough? Long ago, it was felt that love could conquer
all. Deep-rooted problems within a relationship could be overcome,
suppressed, or covered up by the passions and emotions involved
in love. Patriotism is the direct result of love. However,
patriotism must be fuelled by mutual respect, avenues for
advancement and appreciation.
Countless studies have shown that economic or financial problems
have led to the break up of many a marriage. Some may argue
that the absolute worst time to break up is the day before
the wedding. The embarrassment to the groom may do irreparable
harm to his self-esteem, emotional stability and outlook on
life.
Conversely, a groom who suffers through this traumatic period,
regroups and moves on, will be that much stronger due to this
experience.
After a 17-year relationship, Trinidad and Tobago got “horned”
by the USA. Just as we were about to consummate our union
with Kerron Clement last year, a beautiful wealthy, appreciative,
intelligent super model stole him away from us. This left
us with egg on our face, contemplating the ingestion of gramoxone.
To make matters worse, just as we were becoming immune to
the initial sting of the break-up, the “hornerman”
receives another affirmation of Love, openly for the world
to see.
Before the World Junior Championship last year in Grosseto,
Italy, promising athlete Kerron Clement made the decision
to forego his citizenship of T&T in favour of the USA.
He then went on to win World Junior Championship Gold in the
400-metre hurdles in a personal best time of 48.51 seconds.
He immediately draped himself with the American flag and strutted
proudly around the Olimpico Stadium, while we, at home in
T&T were forced to view his success with mixed emotions.
We were all happy for the young man, but were upset that the
flag which he displayed to the world was not ours.
Less than one year later comes an even more painful reminder
of what we lost. Kerron Clement, running for the University
of Florida at the NCAA division one indoor Track and Field
Championships in Arkansas, blazed around the track. He dismantled
the field and destroyed the world indoor record of 44.63,
set by the great Michael Johnson, way back in 1995 (when Kerron
was only nine years old, and beginning to think about taking
his Common Entrance Exam the following year) in a new world
record time (subject to ratification by the IAAF) of 44.57
seconds.
To add salt to our gaping wound, we must realise that this
event is not even his pet event. He is a 400 m hurdler. Therefore,
possibilities now exist for a series of very rare double gold
efforts for his adopted homeland.
How were we able to lose this promising young athlete on the
cusp of super-stardom. Clement is quoted as saying, “I
love the country of my birth, but had to make the choice that
would maximise my potential on the track. I still love my
country. I would never say that I don’t because I do.
But the US has great athletes in every event…… and
I want to train with the best in the world.”
This statement is a strong indictment on the state of track
and field in this country. A country that has produced individual
Olympic medallists such as Hasely Crawford, Ato Boldon and
Macdonald Bailey.
The fact of the matter is that we simply ignore certain events
because we do not have a history of international success
in them. Even at our national championships we are unable
to completely fill one heat in the 400m hurdles.
Many of the runners who take part simply do so because they
believe that they have no chance in other more competitive
events. They in no way believe that they were born hurdlers.
The technique displayed by the athletes in this event is simply
woeful. This is a direct result of a lack of emphasis on the
part of coaches to attempt to develop genetically suited athletes
in this “fringe” event.
There is and never has been any furore surrounding the winner
of the 400m hurdles in T&T. There is no glory, there is
no media attention, there is simply no recognition for athletes
competing in these events, which include field events and
long distance events. Though it must be said that Cleopatra
Borel and Candace Scott are bringing some much needed attention
to the throwing events.
How many people know that Cleavon Dillon jumped a wind assisted
8.09 metres as a junior?
The problem is further exacerbated by the absence of necessary
equipment and facilities to train for these events. Hurdles
are in shortage across the country. Four out of the five stadia
have not been equipped with facilities for the field events.
Coaches are, therefore, forced to convert athletes who are
better suited for these “specialty” events into
competitors in the more traditional track events. There is
also an element of laziness at work here. How many decathletes
have we produced over the years?
The training for a decathlete is very complex, time-consuming
and expensive. We, therefore, shy away from competing in this
event rather than fighting to break barriers and force the
administrators to take notice.
Other than the 100, 200 and 400-metre events, competition
in T&T is non-existent. Pilar Mc Shine only gets a good
race when the young Antiguan athlete Janil Williams comes
to town. Pilar simply blows away the field at will and will
have to venture overseas in search of competition.
Who is going to pay for these travels? Why do we place so
much added pressure on parents to support their children,
emotionally and financially, in preparation to bring glory
to all of us? So do not be shocked when another promising
athlete is forced into the open arms of the USA. As Shadow
put it best, “We looking for horn!”
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