MISFIRES AT GIBSON RELAY 2012

Patrons of the 36th staging of the annual Gibson Relays were denied the chance of seeing national 400-metre record holder Jermaine Gonzales, Dwight Mullings, Allodin Fothergill and Jermaine Gayle compete in the mile relay on Saturday night because of a reported incident that is being investigated by the disciplinary panel of the Gibson Relays Committee.

It is being alleged that Gonzales, who just missed out on a medal at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu last August, and at least one other athlete got into a verbal confrontation with a female official in the call room prior to the mile relay on Saturday night that resulted in the athlete and some of his teammates not being allowed to compete. Professor Rainford Wilks, Chairman of the Gibson Relays Committee reveals that the allegation is only still an allegation but should there be any validity to the claim being made against the national record holder who is a member of the Racers Track Club, sanctions could extend to the club itself.

Apparently Gonzales and some of his teammates were not being allowed to take their bags and sweats into the stadium. The athletes felt otherwise and have the experience to back up whatever fears they have had about leaving their belongings behind. Last year, when they did comply with the regulations governing the meet, they returned to retrieve their belongings only to find that they had been robbed of their mobile phones and other valuables. Professor Wilks explained that allowing the athletes to take their belongings with them would represent a breach of the rules, and in that context he would be right but there is something else that should be taken into consideration.

Gonzales and his teammates are international, professional athletes. These are the people patrons pay to see. It is this connection between the athletes and their fans that has made meets like Gibson Relays a success over the years. Surely, an exception could have been made especially given the athletes’ previous experience. Yes, the official has to obey the rules, but a little bit of flexibility would have allowed fans to see some of their favorite athletes and added value to a meet that lacked a little bit of oomph this year.

What is even more critical, Gonzales and his teammates ares preparing for the Olympics this summer. The evening was cool so they may have even been concerned about picking up injuries, justifying their concerns about not being able to stay ‘warm’ prior to the start of their relay. Getting hurt now would not be in their best interest as the Olympic trials are just about four months away.

That lack of on-the-track impact was also a result of very faulty announcing at the meet. In previous years, the hype at Gibson has been helped by the announcers drawing attention to the star athletes that are on show. In the sprint relays for clubs and institutions athletes like 2005 World Championship 100-metre silver medalist Michael Frater; and his MVP teammate Nesta Carter, the fourth fastest man of all time and a member of Jamaica’s world record setting sprint relay team were participating and yet hardly anyone was aware. If you are seated in the Grand Stand, it is often very difficult to see way across the field to identify which athletes are competing on the back stretch of the sprints and it would have helped greatly if the announcers alerted the fans as to who they were seeing over there. As it turned out a lot of the energy that is generated during a clash between some of the world’s best athletes running for rival clubs, was missing.

Similarly in the female mile relay, a team that consisted of Ristanana Tracey and Rosemarie Whyte ran almost anonymous and as a result there was no energy while the race was in progress.

At track side earlier in the day the officials were protesting the fact that they did not have refreshment available during what was a very hot and sunny day. Their actions delayed the meet for about 30 minutes and which ended up with the meeting running late. Professor Wilks described their actions as unfortunate.

It was an inauspicious start for Professor Wilks as chairman but one that he will surely learn from doing forward. The Gibson Relays are too important an event on the Jamaican calendar for him not to.

Older Entries

Newer Entries

The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.
The Gleaner reserves the right not to publish comments that may be deemed libelous, derogatory or indecent.
To respond to The Gleaner please use the feedback form.

13 Responses to “MISFIRES AT GIBSON RELAY 2012”

Sandra says:

February 28, 2012 at 3:12 pm

This reporter is echoing my sentiments exactly. As an avid Track and Field fan I was most disappointed that Jermaine was not in the 4×400 relays.Disappointed too that more MVP athletes did not participate in the days’ events.In regards to the announcing of the races I can’t see why we can’t have full commentary on ALL the races.I certainly didn’t realize that Ristanana was in the 4×400 and only knew that Rosemarie took part as I recognized her frame,but what about the countless others in the stands who dont know the athletes and are just there to support the event? I’ts time we get with the program. At this 36th staging of the Gibson Relays these are not challenges that we should be having.
don says:

February 29, 2012 at 11:51 am

we need to do much better with tracka nd field off the track. for a track ” power of the world” these meets should have live stream and live results available. why is their no website for the gibson relays. these people and the JAAA don’t know what it mnean to sell an event…it does always have to be by customers paying for it but to advertise and let people see your product….. you can charge when you have a good quality and a flawless product.
Selvin Boothe says:

February 29, 2012 at 1:21 pm

This is the problem, Jamaica’s success in track and field over the years have caused the people that run the sport to become so arrogant and obnoxious.They feel that they are so high and mighty that will listen to no one including the very athletes that gave them some relevance. They are incapable of listening to any form of reasoning. Gibson relays is our flagship international meet that has lost its edge because of the arrogance and power-hungry, moronic behaviour of some of its officials.Talking about cutting off your nose to spite your face. The next big move is for the paying public rebel against these meet organizers.
Giftan Barbarus says:

February 29, 2012 at 6:22 pm

This was the worst Gibson Relays that I have been to. The announcement of the star athletes or even the races were poorly announced. The PA system could be barely heard throughout the stadium. The only times it was really audible were the few times the announcer said, “are you ready?”.

This lack of respect to the patrons must discontinue. The hype of even last year was just not there.
J. Donovan Manhue says:

February 29, 2012 at 6:27 pm

The unfortunate incident that happened to Jermaine and is teamates suggests that the Official in question should learn how to utilize common sense!! Or, think outside the box. We are primarily thought to think literally or linear ( if A then B) If the rules says so, then, out you go regardless of the situation). I recalled an embarassing situation in which some MVP professional athletes were asked not to train on the stadium east track because there was no paperwork authorizing the athletes using the track.
Jakan says:

March 1, 2012 at 7:23 am

That’s not good at all. What is do difficult to understand about these simple things at a track meet?
Hervin Willis says:

March 2, 2012 at 10:38 am

I think these officials need to think out of the box and be more flexible. Take in consideration the losses that can be sustained by our professional athletes.
Maxine Harris says:

March 2, 2012 at 7:29 pm

Sandra
I relate very well to your comments about the announcements, or lack of them. Most of the time we in the stands were not told who was running in the Adult relay teams. I did not know Daniel England was running until I came home and saw it in the news! Like another commentator, I did not know that so many of our top athletes were running in the Women’s (Clubs and Institutions) 4×400. I just recognised Rosemarie from her frame.

The Gibson organisers must recognise that this is an event they are selling and behave accordingly.

Unless the commentary improves, I am staying home after this and watching Gibson on TV. Apparently the commentary was much better!

Ridiculous!
LastParados says:

March 3, 2012 at 9:08 pm

Do I leave my bags and then they are stolen like last year? I dont think so!
Do I strip down to running gear from here, and risk physical injury, which jeopardizes my rankings, my income, my earnings? I don’t think so!
Do I hear introduction of stars (professional athletes) before the races so i can appreciate their progress? I don’t think so!
Do I hear proper commentary, timely results, interviews, etc within the stadium? I don’t think so!
Do I expect ALL the ‘good seats’ to be unavailable when i’m first in line when told ‘tickets go on sale this Thursday at 8:30am? I don’t think so!
Do I expect to wait in line for 2 hours to get mini lunch for $500, with external vendor WAY up the road from the stadium? I dont think so!
Do I keep patronizing the Gibson Relays? I DON’T THINK SO!
yolanda says:

March 6, 2012 at 3:40 pm

I share all the sentiments echoed above. However, Bobby Fray is the best things that has ever happened in athletics when it comes to announcements. As someone said the only time you hear the announcer is when he said “Are you ready?”
david mcneil says:

March 8, 2012 at 3:17 am

Sorry, but I have to disagree majority opinion on the major issue. If the rules say ‘no bags beyond this point’ then the official has no choice. Its not a matter of discretion. Perhaps 2 things should have happened. A reminder of what happened last year and a call to a higher official. You do not just waive the rules arbitrarily because its a big name athlete. If one does, what happens if something goes wrong? Will any of the posters take responsibility? How often does this ‘discretion’ lead to more problems? What if the IOC said no bags, would these guys or the posters expect discretion? Since there was a security issue last year, it should have been brought up, remembered and dealt with before the meet… not expected that some lowly official will exercise discretion. What if a rule was IOC mandated and was waived for ‘discretion’? Didnt think of that did you, guys? So sorry.
Yvonne S says:

March 12, 2012 at 12:03 pm

This is not good for our Jamaican athletes, we need to keep improving each year. The Gibson organizers need to assess the situation and make corrections so that the Gibson Relays will keep getting better and make people excited to travel from afar to support. If we want the best out of our athletes then they all must be treated better. This was just so stupid, apparently these athletes complied last year and were robbed of their personal items. Why would they want to have this repeated? Frankly speaking if they are not allowed to take these items into the stadium then provide safe-keeeping for their personal items so this stupidity can be eliminated and people can get to see their athletes compete since this is what they paid for. Organizers please wake up, get it together and don’t discourage our athletes.
Professor Trevor Hall says:

March 13, 2012 at 2:37 am

What is the purpose of a Track and Field meet? Is it to entertain the public, to prepare athletes for the Olympics or to glorify the officials who work at the meet? Jamaica has world-class athletes who should not be forced to injure themselves because someone makes a rule that athletes cannot wear warmups inside of the stadium. Some people who have power cannot think on their feet. How could an official disrespect athletes in this fashion, and then think about punishing the athlete. It is this type of thinking why West Indies cricket is in its condition. Forcing an athlete to be injured because of a foolish rule should be illegal! Officials must realize that the competition is not held to bemefit them–but for the benefit of fans and athletes.