What an explosion of raw talent and colour Pink, Purple, Orange, Maroon, and Yellow – on the Ronald Webster Park. The screams of encouragement, the waving of pompoms, the sighs of disappointment rang through the simple James Ronald Webster Park which, for that day, had mutated into a Greek amphitheater with energy of colossal proportions.
The crowds bellowed as some athletes strode to the finish line with the same energy that they started with, while others limped and walked across not with the air of defeat but with a giant heart, having given all they could give. The simple podium where the winners collected their prizes was constantly graced by winners, winners of all kinds: children who had overcome broken limbs determined to race, children who woke up five am to practice, children who ran bare foot, where a pair of running shoes was not an option, and children who struggled with academia who had their chance to shine – to be a winner.
There were of course those winners who did not get an opportunity to stand tall on the podium – those who participated, having the courage to stand on the starting line when looking across at their competitors and, instead of saying to themselves I haven’t got a chance, they dreamed that they did and they put their dreams into action.They knew from the start that they were not the favorite, but they had courage and heart. The crowd gave the same cheers to these participants as to those who had placed because, although we were celebrating the physical strength of the best of our upcoming athletes, we were also appreciative of all participants for their courage, determination, strength of character, perseverance and heart.
So now that the dust at the park has well and truly settled, and the hoarse voices have recovered, let us think back with pride. We often hear of the many negative activities of our youth, but there is a bigger story than that. Anguilla has produced many great athletes from this humble park. Imagine, if we had the proper facilities, if we could encourage more children to participate in sport, how many undiscovered Usain Bolts, David Beckhams and Kobe Bryants are amongst us.
One of these dreams started to take form in the shape of a terrible upset at Carifta 2013 with an incredible 100m run by, and a Gold medal for, Zharnel Hughes representing the orange, white and blue. My mind was transported to the future, where I am watching my television along with the rest of the world – watching one of these same children participate in the Olympics on the world stage, with his or her big dreams exposing the world to just a sample of what is the spirit of this nation, a nation small in size but with the courage to dream big.
