Local Olympians who did not make the cut

I like when the Olympics come around. I go television-crazy, especially when the swimming and track and field events are in progress. Call me only if the house is burning down. I also admire all olympians and the work they put in to make the qualifying times for the games.

I wanted to be an olympian, but when I see how we treat our heroes, I backed out. I don’t want to end up like our first medallist Rodney Wilkes—poor and forgotten in San Fernando. I had visions of running the 100 metres in nine seconds flat, winning a gold medal like Crawfie, but that is now a distant memory. I can’t even win a walking race, as Father Time has caught up with me. I am a shadow of myself, with my belly hanging, and the Olympic dream over.

However, I still revel in the achievements of olympians Rodney Wilkes, Lennox Kilgour, Edwin Roberts, Ed Skinner, Wendell Mottley, Hasely Crawford, Ato Boldon, George Bovell III and others. My heart is filled with pride, no matter which medal was won. I think just being on the world stage is in itself a major achievement.

When I looked at the local landscape, we have olympians who just did not make the cut, but could have represented the nation nonetheless. Minister of Sports, loudmouth Anil Roberts, loves swimming in a pool of controversy. As a swim coach, he is at home in that discipline. He could double in track and field, as he runs his mouth on everything under the sun, including his COP leader, Prakash Ramadhar.

Leader of the Opposition, the PNM’s Keith Rowley, is another track star, running his mouth how he preparing for “govament.” This is a man who called a storm a “passing cloud,” but was excused because he earned his degree in rocks, and not the weather.

My favourite politician, Super Jack (Warner), is another track star, running his mouth on how he will beat the crime problem. Many thought Jack would have run from highway protesters, but he stood his ground with arms folded and backhoe in progress. However, town say Jack run from FIFA and the Soca Warriors instead.

Talking about running, town say Kamla run Verna St Rose. But Verna had her resignation in her back pocket, and hit Kamla whap! She then took off running. Talk about run. Verna good for the sprints. The talkative Colm Imbert comes in for the short jump, because of his height and legs. Beanpole Robert “Robbie” Mayers could represent in the long jump and pole vault. Robbie could take a try at the high jump, too. Jump high, jump low, Robbie always jumping to political conclusions.

Sleeping pills Fitzgerald (Hinds) comes in for the shot put and javelin, which he aims at political opponents without direction. Remember, Hinds will hate any Rasta who kisses the hand of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Long before former prime minister Patrick Manning walked from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj walked from south to north, ending in Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain. Ramesh could represent in race walking, despite his age.

Both men copied Eric Williams, who walked from Port-of-Spain to Chaguaramas. Town say Eric walked for nationhood; Ramesh and Manning walked for exercise. Well, Kamla could fill in as chef de mission, she  loves to travel. You see me, I gone!