Marion appointed Sports Ambassador
Good evening, I’m James Adderly and you’re in tuned to the first post Keith serving of Sports Monday, being aired on a Tuesday. The entire nation was hooked into Marion Jones at the Sydney Olympics when Hurricane Keith had us all scurrying for higher grounds. In that turbulence we might have lost focus of the incredible performance of Marion Jones, who for the first time embraced the Belizean flag for in a public way for all the world to see on the Olympic stage no less. Marion Jones wanted five gold from Australia so we’ll take you back in time.
The drive for five began with competition in the 100 metres for women and here’s the call from the Caribbean sportscasters at Sydney.
Television Commentator
“They’re off clean this time. Ottey gets up reasonably well, Tanya Lawrence in lane one running well for Jamaica. Marion Jones comes powering through. Fynes struggling on the outside, Ottey struggling for a medal. Marion Jones with a big performance wins gold. Marion Jones in 10.75.”
What gave Belizeans goose bumps was this spontaneous act by Marion to incorporate the Belize flag in her victory lap. Still with one gold captured four were still be had.
Hot on the list was the 200-metre run and again we go to the call.
Television Commentator
“There they go, Jones is off quickly, Davis Thompson is not off too badly, Ferguson running well…. Jones coming off the turn with a clear advantage. McDonald struggling on the inside. There is Marion Jones, the world champion coming forward with a big victory. She is on top by three to four metres. Jasasinghe looking for the silver medal. Pauline Davis looking for the silver as well. They hit the line together. 21.85, the victory for Marion Jones.”
As you can see, the red, white and blue of Belize remains a fixture with Marion Jones, who now shows 2 gold medals out of two events.
Going into the Sydney Olympics Marion stated that the long jump would have been her biggest challenge for the gold. Her concern was obviously well placed.
Tied for 2nd place she needed a good jump to move up and here she finally finds her form only to have that effort discarded by a red flag. A review of the tape shows she did foul the line. As a result we see Mrs. Jones in the unfamiliar position of settling for the bronze medal as the drive for five took its first hit.
Meanwhile the 4 by 100 relay brought another disappointing result for the superstar as we listen in.
Television Commentator
“There’s the start. Slow start for Nigeria, Bahamas gets up very, very well, a brilliant turn here by Fynes for the Bahamas. Jamaica trying to catch up in lane 2. The United States at the moment in lane 6 running quite well. Veronica Campbell of Jamaica in lane 3, the 18 year old is sprinting down the track, the Jamaicans running very well also. McDonald takes the baton, the Bahamas looking to have the lead, the USA facing problems here. The Bahamas with the advantage. Jamaica coming up on the inside. Marion Jones will have work to do; Merlene Ottey will close up for Jamaica…Debbie Ferguson ahead of them. Merlene Ottey, Jamaica coming forward, Bahamas on top. Bahamas the world champions looking for the Olympic gold medal and they’ll get it. Bahamas strikes gold 41.96. The world champions stamp their authority on women’s sprinting and win gold following up on the world championship title last year. The Olympic crown is theirs as well. Debbie Ferguson shrugs off a brave effort from Merlene Ottey. Marion Jones came flying at the end, but the glory to the Bahamas, Pauline Davis, Debbie Ferguson, Sevatheda Fynes.”
Of course people even in the pace of adversity a true star shines and in the 400 event Marion struck for her third gold at the Sydney Olympics.
So the drive for 5 settles into 3 gold and 2 bronze medals. If you don’t have dreams they can’t come true and Marion Jones got very close to realizing her biggest dream. Her performance has given the Belizean youth something to reach for. Her embracing of our flag at the Olympics not only got the attention of the world, but it got the attention of our very own government, which has conferred the title of Ambassador of Sports for Belize on Marion Jones. She has accepted and will be working closer with her mother’s country folks. Of course, the dream continues, the story continues.
Meanwhile, changing gears, we just want to remind you that the BFL football season comes back to live action this weekend around the nation. Stay tuned; you won’t want to miss it.
