Stop bashing our athletes!

By Ricardo Chambers

I want to start this by congratulating O'Dayne Richards on becoming the first Jamaican to win gold in the men's shot putt at the Commonwealth Games. It is indeed a major achievement.

Some may say it's only the Commonwealth Games, but so what? In 2006 and 2010 Dorian Scott won silver and went on to World and Olympic finals. On Monday, Richards not only won, but beat Scott's national record of 21.45, while also setting a games record.

We can all admit that the Commonwealth Games are not of the level of the World Championships and the Olympics, and it will never be, especially if the very best athletes in the Commonwealth continue to stay away.

But that's a separate issue. What Richards has done though, is start a journey that we all hope will one day culminate with a World Championship or Olympic medal.

But for those who may scoff at his performance, let me put it in even greater context. With a throw of 21.61 he would have comfortably earned bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, and silver at the World championships in Moscow last year. While I admit conditions differ and can affect results, I still think Richards' performance shows he's ready to take the next step to the highest level. I hope we, as Jamaicans, can see it as a major achievement and not "It's just Commonwealth gold."

Youth Championships

On another matter, I take issue with those who are bashing the performance of the World Junior Championships team in Eugene Oregon.

One gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze is not spectacular, but it's a respectable performance, especially at a championship where the standards were higher, in many instances than what we have come to expect.

Let us applaud them!  Several members of this team are so young they'll return in two years, so for such a young team, I think they did well; so stop the bashing!