BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WINNING the race – believe it or not – is just the beginning! And as weighty as that bronze medal is (yes I heft it) it is nothing compared to the responsibility with which it comes.
The “Relay Boys” as they have been affectionately dubbed, participated in the Men’s 4X100m relay of the International Amateur Association Federation (IAAF) World Championships on September 4, 2011 and copped third position, being outrun by Jamaica and France. The games were held in Daegu, South Korea.
The relay squad comprised of Jason Rogers, Kim Collins, Antoine Adams, Brijesh Lawrence and Delwayne Delaney with the race being run by the first four.
Indeed St. Kitts and Nevis was made proud, for once again, athletes with Kittitian blood running through their veins, raised the flag of their land proudly in the air – among many others – and reminded the world that though their country was the smallest federation in the western hemisphere, St. Kitts Nevis is capable of accomplishing great things.
Adams, Delaney and Rogers returned to the island on September 6 and were warmly greeted by their friends, family members and local sport officials; and if they were then not aware of the great responsibility that winning carries, reality struck via the words of President of the St. Kitts Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC), Alphonso Bridgewater.
They have been charged with specific responsibilities, great responsibilities, which, by design, would not only affect their existence but that of their colleagues, the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis and by extension, the entire world.
“I hope you celebrate the moment, maintain the momentum and stimulate a movement” Bridgewater encouraged.
As they bask in the glory of their accomplishment, Bridgewater expressed, the athletes must celebrate their accomplishment and its magnitude. He recalled that the Relay Boys’ win came just days after Collins snagged the bronze medal in the 100m dash at the IAAF games, and after son of the soil Sir Dennis Byron was appointed President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
Bridgewater enlisted the assistance of the family of the athletes noting that they are an all-important ingredient in maintaining the momentum.
“I want us to continue to celebrate the moment but you can’t celebrate the moment unless you maintain the momentum and what is the momentum that we are talking about? The family (members) here, you have to continue to support (the athletes), support them!
“You will find that the Olympic Committee and the Track and Field Association hard on them sometimes. We couldn’t maintain this momentum if you didn’t set a standard of excellence for these fellows from the relay team. Sometimes they were mad with us because we said anybody who wants to make the relay team must reach a certain standard…”
Based on the Federation’s past experience in the sporting and other arenas, Bridgewater expressed his conviction that St. Kitts Nevis is “hungry for greatness”. He said it is this hunger that is the basis for the stimulation of a movement; a movement which would breed future success.
“I want you to stimulate a movement, a movement for the same excellence that we have.”
This movement must not end with them! But as budding athletes pop onto the scene, the Relay Boys’ influence must be such that they leave a legacy of inspiration, motivation and commitment; commitment to their sporting discipline, commitment to their colleagues, commitment to their country, commitment to celebrate the moments, maintain the momentum and stimulate a movement.
