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.