CHAMBERS’ OMISSION KILLS J’CA’S MILE RELAY CHANCES

When I got the email from the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) containing the names of the 53 athletes selected to represent Jamaica at the IAAF World Athletic Championships in Beijing, China, I didn’t immediately notice it. I guess I was too busy gushing over how strong, on paper, the team looked.

Names like Usain Bolt, who I feel is going to shock the world just over a week from now; a healthy and in-form Asafa Powell, Shelly Ann Frazer-Pryce, who looks unbeatable, as well as newcomers like Omar McLeod, who based on form is among the favourities to medal in the sprint hurdles and a healthy Frederick Dacres, who could create history in the men’s discus, made for good reading. It was only after a second look that I discovered that among the perceived strength was a significant weakness arising from one astonishing omission.

Ricardo Chambers finished third at the national championships in June in 45.24s but was then disqualified for a disputed lane violation. Chambers, whose personal best 44.54s was set back in 2010 before a series of injuries floored him for the better part of three years, delivered his first sub-45 time since that run in Monaco five years ago, at the NACAC Senior Championships in Costa Rica on August 7. The 44.93s he ran in the semi-finals makes him the third fastest Jamaican this year behind Javon Francis (44.50) and Rusheen McDonald (44.60) and while we didn’t expect them to name him in the line-up for the individual 400m, certainly he would have been a quality addition to the country’s mile relay squad that includes an inconsistent Peter Matthews and a lacklustre Dane Hyatt.

In essence what the selection committee has done in omitting Chambers from the world championship team is eliminate any possibility of the men’s mile relay team wining a medal in Beijing. Back in 2013, Francis brought Jamaica back from the dead to silver, but without a healthy Chambers in this Jamaican team, hauling Jamaica back this time will be a bridge too far for the rising 400m star. Trinidad, Bahamas, Belgium, Great Britain, and of course the indomitable USA will be even harder to beat this time as each of these countries have added depth in quality and performance. Without Chambers, Jamaica takes a significant step backwards.

I cant imagine why they would leave out a man whose form has been on the rise since the start of the season. Could it be because of an emotional outburst he posted on his Facebook page a few weeks ago criticizing a national mile-relay coach? It seems far-fetched but given his astonishing omission one really has to wonder. If that is the case, it would be extremely unfortunate because the aim of any selection committee is to pick the best available talent to represent the country at one of the most important global competitions.

And it can’t because of the lack of available funds because among the 19 officials selected to travel with the team, there are many who quite plainly are just going along for the ride. It shouldn’t be hard to bump one of the joyriders for someone who could help the country add to what could be a record medal haul this summer.

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5 Responses to “CHAMBERS’ OMISSION KILLS J’CA’S MILE RELAY CHANCES”

  1. winston says:

    The JAAA’s Executive members or whomsoever is responsible for selecting the team and the officials are all behaving like members of the Republican Party in the USA, and that is not a complimentary comparisson. I need say no more.

  2. dallo says:

    This would make one mistake the JAAA for the PNP or the JLP. This just defies common sense. I remember when we contemplated bumping Shelly Ann off the 100m team for 2008 and now we can’t find a space for a 44 runner on a relay squad loaded with humpty dumpties? Smells fishy.

  3. Wayne says:

    It boggles the mind why Chambers was left off the team (for the 4X400m relays, and I still wonder if when we select these teams our goal is to win medals. Our major competitors in the relays tend to send their BEST 6, yet Jamaica seem to do otherwise. I use two examples … The USA is taking Sanya Richards for the women 4X4 relays, yet she didn’t even make it to the finals of that event at their trials. The USA will be running Felix on the backstretch of the women’s 4X100m yet she didn’t even run the event at their trials. But why? Because they are fielding teams to WIN, not for show. They select their BEST for their relays, not placing at their trials. I saw the post Chambers made on his page and there is nothing bad or derogatory about it that would warrant being left off, and since his form is steadily improving since the trials I am yet to understand the reasoning behind the decision. I guess we are all waiting for see two mediocre runners running 46 legs, and hoping McDonald and Francis will take it home … because that’s exactly what’s gonna happen !!!!

  4. C. Heron says:

    2015: Still small minds in a small country. To many administrators (19) for a contingent of less than 80. Ratio not justified. Money that should be used to help young up and coming talent.

  5. C. Heron says:

    2015: Small minds, small country. Too many administrators (19) in contingent less than 80. Ratio unjustified. Money that should be used to help young up and coming talent.

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levyl Posted by: levyl August 12, 2015 at 11:15 am