The Editor, Sir:

I want to add my voice to the congratulations so overwhelmingly bestowed, and rightly so, on our athletes who have shone at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. I was elated, I mean 'mi heart nearly buss' when at last Sunday's service, the priest, full-fledged American, made special mention of Jamaica's performance at the Olympics. There are only three of us Jamaicans among the congre-gation and we were given a big round of applause and, by extension, the performance of our athletes. The congregation now regards us as 'the fastest people on Earth'. A wi dat!

Childish display

In the midst of all this joy, however, I have to voice my disappointment in the way Usain Bolt ended the 100 metres. Conscious that he was on the world's stage, his childish display of chest thumping and 'see me ya - beat me if you can' performance, evidenced by the positioning of his hands, just inches from the finish line, in my opinion, smacked of 'bhutto behaviour'. I hope that his coaches gave him a good 'tongue lashing' for that display.

The women's 100 metres was a dazzling display of courage by a woman who said 'nothing was expected of me, so I had nothing to prove'. Like millions around the globe, glued to the television, I was transported to Beijing, as I sat on the edge of my seat and held my breath. By the time I exhaled, it was gold, silver, silver! I let out a long, delightful scream and grabbed the telephone to call my friend so we could celebrate.

Mishandling the flag

The next minute I was shouting 'no girl, no girl' as I watched in utter disbelief as the gold medal winner, Ms Fraser, elatedly rolled around on the ground, wrapped in the Jamaican flag.

Did anyone else feel my pain? Has protocol relating to the handling of our country's flag changed? I was taught to hold the flag sacred and to never willfully cause it to touch the ground. Maybe the Olympic Games are an exception. I don't know.

I make these criticisms not to in any way to diminish the achieve-ments of these deserving athletes, but to remind us that the world is watching. We need to be on our best behaviour.

So, while we expect more world-class performance and medals - 'big up' the fastest people on Earth!

I am etc.,

PHYLLIS M. PARSONS, EdD

gorpar@embarqmail.com

Eustis, Florida