The editor, sir:

The Gleaner's editorial on Tuesday, August 19 aptly stated that the record-breaking performance of our athletes in Beijing, China, was a gold mine of symbolism.

As we witness the awesome and magnificent performance of the Jamaican team at the 29th Olympiad, Jamaicans here and all over the world have united in celebrating with great pride and joy the outstanding achievements of our athletes.

They are a symbol of the greatness of our nation; a symbol of affirmation for Jamaicans here and in the diaspora and a symbol of possibilities, not just for Jamaica, but for the rest of the Caribbean. They are also a symbol that, as a nation, we can reverse the negative image that we have internationally.

Gold medallist, Shelly-Ann Fraser, rose from the inner-city community of Waterhouse while Melaine Walker, Olympic record champion of the 400m hurdles, was raised in the inner-city community of Maxfield Avenue. Similarly, our number-one athlete and world-record champion, Usain Bolt, was nurtured in the small rural community of Sherwood Content in Trelawny. Likewise, silver medallists, Sherone Simpson and Shericka Williams, hail from small districts in Manchester and St Elizabeth, respectively.

Outstanding athletes

These outstanding athletes have inspired many young people from their communities to believe, once again, in the possibility that they, too, can achieve greatness. They have challenged many hopeless youth once again to dream of possibilities that can be attained, irrespective of the limitations that exist within their communities.

While I commend the Government for its plans to recognise and celebrate our athletes publicly, I hope that the events will not be exclusive, but that they will take the celebrations outside of the walls of King's House or the National Indoor Sports Complex to the communities that gave birth to these great Jamaican athletes.

These athletes have risen from humble beginnings and so, let us not forget their roots but celebrate their families, friends and those in their communities/villages who have helped to nurture their potential and the greatness in these athletes that is now being celebrated all over the world.

Facilitating and encouraging celebratory events within these communities could very well serve to fan the flicker of hope that has been inspired in the hearts of our people, in particular, our nation's youth.

I am, etc.,

MISHA LOBBAN

Kingston