Today, August 12, marks the start of the Olympic Games for many Jamaicans. The land of Olympic and World record holder, Usain Bolt, would have been waiting with baited breath for the start of the Track and Field program. However, this started in disappointment for two of our hopefuls.
Fedrick Dacres, thought by many to have been Jamaica’s biggest medal prospect in the field events at the Rio Olympic Games, fell flat in the first round of qualifying. Dacres, who this season has marks well over the 65m qualifying standard , could only manage 50.69m on his final throw.
Conditions were less than favorable, as there were intermittent showers which would not only make the athletes cold, but also affect their ability to be technically sound. Dacres was unable to get it together, failing on his first two throws, only managing to make the mark on his third throw.
The Jamaica National Champion was visibly disappointed and walked back miserably to his gears, gesticulating in anger.
It must be noted that this was the morning of technical mishaps, as even the commentator expressed that he has never seen so many technical problems in the Discus.
Danielle Thomas, the lone Jamaican female, could only manage 16.70, 16.43 and 16.99m in the shot put. Looking quite angry on her last throw, she powered the implement through her phases, but could only manage 16.99m, though improving on her previous throws. This was well below the 18m needed to make it through to the finals. Also visibly upset, she had her head down, as she walked back to her cool down area.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Cleopatra Borel, made the final, having gone beyond the qualifying mark of 18m. In an interview with former Olympic champion, Felix Sachez, Burrell, broke into tears as she expressed how happy she is, having trained very hard since the last Olympics. She also expressed that she will be doing her best, come the finals and hopes she can get something special.
A disappointing opening morning for Jamaica, however, things should heat up this afternoon, when there will be the 400m heats for men and the big one, the women’s 100m opening round.
