G. Michael Reid on cycling
The 1998 Cross Country Classic is now part of history, with a new champion and a new record. But almost a week after Ben Bernard’s spectacular performance the race is still being debated. Tonight News Five commentator G. Michael Reid offers his perspective.
“A belated Easter greeting Belize and with sincere wishes that your season was as delightful and relaxing as mine. I know that many, like myself were left disappointed by the dismal showing of our local cyclists in this year’s Cross Country race and invariably, the murmur has come forth, as it usually does whenever a foreigner wins, that maybe we should restrict the competition to local talent. I beg difference from this opinion. If we are to capitalize on the commercial potential of this event, and it is vast, and then we must leave the field open to international competitors. Besides, I am convinced that our local athletes have the physical capability to compete with anyone on any level. Olympics and Tour de France not excepted. Unfortunately, physical ability is not the end all component to success, and the intangibles, to which we pay little enough attention, might in fact be of much more consequence.
For motivation, love of country has proven to work best and civic pride has propelled athletes from countries like America to many a stellar performance. Instead of patriotism however, our people learn of loyalty to party, to team or even to products. Consider that the three flags that flew over the National Stadium on Holy Saturday, one said Guinness, one said Coke and one said Crystal, but not one said “sub umbra floreo.”
As for incentive, I still think that any local rider, who wins this race, should be hailed as a hero and showered with not only gifts, but also prestige. He should be lifted on the shoulders of the people and given a parade around the city. Endorsements should be demanded from dealers of products sold in Belize, and instead of a white cyclist on Pepsi sippers, maybe we could see a Jawmaine or a Charlie Lewis.
Then there’s confidence. Many consider the taint of low self esteem that plagues us as a people to be a legacy of our colonial past and the concepts has much credibility, but how long before we shed, this dubious stigma. Could it have been, lack of confidence that saw Andrew Smiling blocking for his American teammate instead of trying for the W himself. Yes team spirit paints an admirable picture but allegiance to country, paints a bigger and nobler one. What with tens of thousands watching or listening at home and even many abroad feverishly hoping that a local would emerge victorious. Andrew Smiling or course must be commended for an excellent ride, especially considering the fact that at 35 and ageless wonder Shamba aside, he is one of the oldest athletes in the field. And was it not yours truly himself, who just a few months ago on this very show, who questioned Smiling’s selection over the Lewis brothers to represent us in Honduras? Obligatorily sir I say, you have made your point.
From a team concept, Smiling did the right thing and for this reason, I believe that if only for just this one race, all our best riders should be on the same team and this team should be exclusive to Belizeans. Somehow, there seems something wrong with the picture of a Belizean working against another Belizean in order to allow a foreigner to win, even if he is a teammate. Team concept true, but try explaining that to two hundred thousand disappointed country men, women and children yearning for a reason to be proud.
Yet, while the National Stadium was somber with disappointment, the Roger’s Stadium was alive with hope. In town for the weekend were a couple of scouts from the Houston Astro’s baseball team and they were looking for a few good arms. Derrick “the dragon” Jones of the Rookies softball team apparently impressed the duo and arrangements are being made for him to attend a training camp in Venezuela sometime this year. In the meantime, Jones will continue to play on his local Rookies team and can be seen in action Saturday, April 18th, when the Belize Softball Association officially opens it’s 1998 season. All games of course, will be held at Roger’s Stadium and opening ceremonies commence at 1:00pm sharp. In the basketball news, the association wishes to remind the public that playoffs are in full effect and as promised on this show, the games are as intense and as exciting as anything ever offered by semi-pro, and at fraction of the cost. Let us support our local athletes for only then we be able to expect more nationalistic representation.”
The opinions expressed on the Last Word are those of G. Michael Reid and not necessarily those of Channel Five. Comments are welcome.
