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Aug. 3–9, 2012 • Caribbean Life • Brooklyn/Staten Island • Page 34Jamaicans bolt to Olympics for gold and gloryJamaicans led by PrimeMinister Portia Simpson-Millerjoined delegationsrepresentingathletes from 205 countriesacross the world to attendopening ceremonies of the30th Olympiad in London,England.The leader – who is alsominister of sports – madethe four-day visit to theinternational, sports meccawhere thousands of athletesfrom around the globe willcompete in 36 sports untilAug. 12.Although her visit endsone week before Usain Boltraces to face challenge forOlympic gold and dominancein track and field, theprime minister said she hadconfidence in team Jamaicaand urged nationals to cheeron all the athletes who representthe island.“Once again, all roadslead to London and I amexpecting the Jamaicanteam to perform to the bestof its ability and it is onlyfitting that we give them allthe necessary support duringthe Games,” SimpsonMiller said.Jamaicans hold highhopes for a repeat sweep inboth the men’s and women’sraces they compete – akin totheir victory in 2008 at theBeijing, China Olympics –shutting out any aspirationsfor competition to medalgold, silver or bronze.While all athletes aspireto Olympic glory, Jamaicansare forcefully going for thegold that also celebratestheir golden anniversary ofindependence.The prime minister saidthere was much significancein the Games in this 50thyear of Jamaica’s Independenceand 64 years after OlympiansHerb McKenley, ArthurWint and others “blazed atrail of glory at our first participationin the Olympics inLondon in 1948.”Inside LifeBy Vinette K. PrycePrior to the openingceremonies on Friday, sheparticipated in a welcomeflag-raising ceremony at theOlympic Village and metwith the Jamaican athletes.Meanwhile, Jamaicannationals who reside outsideof England are flockingto the city to supporttheir “Golden Boy” and fellowathletes as they competeon the internationalathletic stage.‘Cool Running’again for Jamaicansat OlympicsAside from track andfield, Jamaican athletes arecontenders in a number ofevents that may be regardedas out of their realm. Determinedto improve on theirability and perhaps qualifyto compete against the bestof the best, an equestrian,Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller wavesas she arrives at Buckingham Palace in London for areception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.AP Photo/Sang Tanswimmer and Tae-Kwan-Dochampion are representingthe Caribbean island at theLondon Olympics.Unlike, the 1988 WinterOlympics in Calgary, Canadawhere Team Jamaica’sbob sled entry was regardedas a novelty and dubbedin news reports for their“Cool Runnings,” the summergames promise recordbreakingopportunities andspotlight for more than afew individuals representingthe nation.With more than a fewhurdlers, sprint, relay andlong distance runners baskingin the spotlight TeamJamaica comprise 100metres swimmer Alia Atkinson,discus throwers TravisSmikle, Allison Randall andJason Morgan; long jumper,Damar Forbes; shot putterDorian Scott; Tae-kwandocompetitor KennethEdwards; triple jumpers TreciaSmith and Kimberly Williams;equestrian SamanthaAlbert; Korene Hinds, steeplechase; decathlon runner,Maurice Smith; and othersto carry the black, greenand gold banner.And while lightning Boltwill likely strike again, thefour-time, Olympic goldmedal winner who carriedthe flag during the openingceremony might be joinedin the winner’s circle afterperformances by Yohan“The Beast” Blake, AsafaPowell, Shelly-Ann FraserPryce, Veronica CampbellBrown, Sherone Simpson,Sherica Williams, NickieshaWilson and Melanie Walker.Since arriving at their trainingcamp at the Universityof Birmingham, media andfans have been campingout to get a glimpse of the54-member JA team.Catch You On TheInside!