The Editor, Sir:

I have never ceased to be in awe of the West Indian spirit, our love of life, our joy, even in the face of terrible hardships, our ability to look fear in the eye and not be afraid.

As a Jamaican, I believe that my compatriots exemplify these attributes, above all others, and no where is it more visibly manifested than in the Olympic stadia, every four years, as one or the other of our athletes attempt to put their stamp on history, alongside the best from every corner of the globe.

Exclamation on history

On Saturday night, Usain Bolt didn't just win the 100 metres. He put a massive exclamation point on his victory by running faster than any other human being has ever done. What a thrill! What a joy! What a phenom!

But, another Jamaican ran too. Asafa Powell did not come up among the medallists and I imagine that, to many, including himself, this is a source of deep disappointment. I would like to let him know though, that he remains a source of inspiration to me. His efforts are to be celebrated and not ridiculed.

Further, many of us can learn a thing or too if we see his efforts as a metaphor for the game of life - that no matter how hard we try sometimes - at work, at love, at play, at all the things that matter, we will sometimes come up short.

To Asafa and his parents, I will venture further to say that the glory is not always in the gold, but in the simple fact that he was there, he tried, and he gave it everything that he had.

I am, etc.,

GRACE VIRTUE, PhD

Gvirtue@usa.net

Washington, DC

USA