The Editor, Sir:

It has always been my mantra that leadership can be defined in one word and that word is 'example'.

Therefore, if we compare the example of hard work, persis-tence, commitment and integrity displayed by our Olympians to the tribalism, one-upmanship, parliamentary and other indiscipline, fiscal irrespon-sibility and brinkmanship preferred by our politicians, it will not be difficult to identify who Jamaica's real leaders are.

But, leaders cannot lead without followers. The one is symbiotically linked to the other. So, it is interesting to see if we are respecting and following the example of our Olympians.

No charity case

The Jamaica Teachers' Association has announced that it will be closing its offices for a day. Calls to add yet another public holiday to Jamaica's world record list abound from all allegedly responsible sources.

We already hear of plans to heap bounty in the form of land, houses and more upon our medal winners.

But these are proud Jamai-cans who have shown all of us the way to success and will be reaping magnificent bounty worldwide from the fruits of their own labour. Why should we be treating them as charity cases?

Why don't we honour their exploits by dismantling the garrisons from whence some have originated and spend the money we intend to 'give' to these soon-to-be-wealthy athletes on the requisite infrastructure in their home communities to achieve the long needed de-garrisonisation and opportunity for their residents?

Young athletes

Now that the various hometowns and districts will be spotlighted by the international press, will we finally summon up the political will to upgrade the appalling facilities in which Melaine and Shelly-Ann were made to grow up in obscurity with their needs thoroughly ignored by successive governments?

Why not spend the money, in their honour, assisting with the development of the many nine-year-old Bolts, Powells, Camp-bells, Frasers and Williamses who are right now running for their lives in communities across the island?

Our proud Olympians have led the way by example. Now, it's time for us to follow their sterling example, rather than leaping on media-friendly band-wagons and entering speech-making contests.

I am, etc.,

GORDON ROBINSON

gordon_robinson@flowja.com

69 Lady Musgrave Road

Kingston 10