Why do Jamaicans run so fast (CBC)

[evanovitch]

Re: Why do Jamaicans run so fast (CBC)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kia</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Funny enough the language and articulation of the young boys from JC was the 1st thing I picked up on as well. I guess dem cut out speech classes

Yes likkle miss Trudy was a dear to watch

The theory of the metabolism of oxygen makes sense

I did cringe when I saw the US college recruiters watching though.. but when u need an education u do what u have to do </div></div>

Kia dis has been my main problem wid the focus on sports , music, modelling ....n did u note an air of cockiness wid some wen dat 4 x 1000 JC team spoke after the medal ceremony...bad enuff his English sucked but dem under dem breath comments showed dem already tink dem a big ting...

even between Vilma n the geneticist u could hear some language use difference...n both spoke with Jcan accents so is not twangin cost it...fi a univeristy lecturer i guess i neva expect to hear di geneticist seh 'dose' etc...call me a purist at best n a snob at the least..wat can i say...teachers suppose fi speak betta dan pupils in my books

but Miss Trudy going places n Missa Bolt made the point fi all fi see...him STILL in him own bizniz....is Usain is di runner... given di Forbes report re di son mi mind did run pon di parents hoping so fool no try a ting wid dem fi get money from Bolt...dat is how tings bad a yaad dat all dat come to mind in di midst of hoping fi oddas get tru

[franksterr]

Re: Why do Jamaicans run so fast (CBC)

I think the over arching factor is Cutural milieu.

[Wahalla]

Re: Why do Jamaicans run so fast (CBC)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: franksterr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the over arching factor is Cutural milieu. </div></div>

I concur whole heartedly with this assessment... Culture as witnessed by the strategic investment, the social aspect that came out of the high school, the previous success.. As well as the jamaica apriciation of spectacle, the volunterism that is seen it the sector...

[Tropicana]

Re: Why do Jamaicans run so fast (CBC)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Smaddy_Pickney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if him run fast den mek yuh nuh get him inna program suh yuh cyan retire? </div></div>

You know it's interesting. I have always put an emphasis on academics. Not that I haven't encouraged the sports as a recreational activity. He was in kinderplay, kinderplay, and Tykes soccer. I remember one day I was watching him when he was having his swimming lessons. An older Jamaican woman came by (it was at a community centre) and said &quot;But wait, wha mek de oddah Black parents noh send them pickney fe learn to swim? Dem musse figgah seh since dem nevah 'ad it dem pickney noh fe ave it.&quot; (It was in a part of Markham that did have a lot of Black families and we lived just South of their in Toronto at the time yet he was the only Black child in the pool.)

I'm coming to the running. He did horse riding, show jumping, hockey too....he begged for riding lessons once I started and it was his idea to play hockey. I said &quot;Are you sure you want to play hockey?&quot; and I explained that this was the last sport where there was (at the time) a colour barrier. He said yes. I explained the realities and cautioned he might get racist remarks if he missed a shot. He has never had a problem. The coaches have been fabulous and have complimented him on his locker room demeanour. No swearing, off-colour jokes and fully cooperative (as he knew his mad mother would pull him out if there were any complaints.)

Now I come to the running. He did cross country running at school every year and did well. When he played soccer, the other parents (all White) would ask what I was feeding him as he was everywhere on the field. So I got him involved in running. He did well in the local meets. When he went to Toronto and their were other Jamaican kids, man you couldn't compare. Some were even faster than he was. At 11:00 his coach arranged for the kids to practice at the club at York University where Donovon Bailey, Ben Johnson, etc. trained. He met some top Jamaican-Canadian track stars.

His marks had been high up until then. I was unhappy with his marks that year. So, I said, &quot;If your marks aren't over a certain level, no sports.&quot; He is bright but a procrastinator when it comes to school assignments. I wasn't happy with the marks so I pulled him from sports next term. It didn't make any difference in the marks. When I dropped him off at summer camp his counsellor said &quot;Bad mother&quot;. In the fall, he had lost interest in running and he soon lost interest in horse riding. But, he has continued the soccer and hockey to this day. He has also done rugby and even the basketball (which I detest and I have never encouraged).

Looking back on it, I think the camp counsellor was right. He did buckle down and make Ontario Scholar so I guess I was worried about his marks for nothing. By pulling him, he lost interest. A lesson for other parents.

I am actually picking him up today and he is going to do some work for me. He is off for the summer but lives in the university town all year now. Thank you for your question dahjah. I am going to raise the question of running with him. Maybe he should lay off the other sports next year and just focus on that but it all comes down to his interests. He works out regularly. It's not too late.