Please, Honour Our Athletes!

After witnessing history unfolding before our eyes on the global screen, I think that our country should before the staging of the 2016 Olympics, should do something tangible to recognize not just two but all the athletes who represented  our country over the decades. 

An athletic museum should be set up in Trelawny or Ocho Rios, on a one acre property with different buildings erected to represent the different stages of our track and field history and development.  

This is my vision:

1.      The first building should have the images of the pioneers of Jamaica’s track and field representatives and their coaches.  This section should have life sized pictures and biographies of each person involved in the process. 

2.      The second building should have the development of the track and field programme and the government’s drive to improve the quality of the coaches and the role the Primary and All Age School annual athletic meet.  Pictures and biographies of those young athletes who became part of the dream team in the 90’s and 2000.

3.      The third building should have the athletes of the decade featuring Walker, Bolt, Pryce, Powell, etc.  These should also have life sized pictures of those athletes strategically placed throughout the building.

4.      The fourth building should be a National Sports Library filled with relevant information for CSEC Physical Education students, research students and members of the local and international cable companies to gain special access.  An online library should be developed and registered as credible referenced sources. 

5.      The fifth building should be a Jamaican home style cook shop where roast yams, roast salt fish, boiled green bananas, dumplings, mackerel run-down, ackee and salt fish with roast or fried breadfruit, etc.  Also a Jamaican juice counter and water fountain should be in that building.

6.      The sixth building should have a souvenir store.  This should have autographed memorabilia for persons to purchase.  These should be in dual currencies that will facilitate local and overseas visitors to the attraction.

7.      Outside should have life sized waxed or bronze statues of Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Deon Hemmings, Merline Ottey, etc.  This should be at a place strategically placed outside but protected for persons to take pictures beside the images. 

The buildings should be in Jamaican colours, with the walls having draped colours of the flag along with white.  Also, special effects lighting should be there.  Outside should have several fountains with a make shift waterfall and a mini botanical garden for persons to either picnic or take pictures. 

I know that it seems as if I am a dreamer but I think my country can benefit from this.  After all, our athletes are a great reservoir of resource and a multi-million dollar investment should be made to make this possible.  I am almost sure that companies such as Puma, Nike, and other sporting companies will topple over themselves to invest in such a concept.  It is time to truly honour our athletes, what do you think?