Olympics round-up: More than sports

The Rio Olympics concluded in a splash of colour and gaiety last Sunday night, bringing the three-week global spectacle to a close, with all eyes now focused on its successor, to be held in Tokyo, Japan in 2020. Caribbean people could justly feel proud of the showing of their athletes in the Games, not just because of the achievements of Usain Bolt, Elaine Thompson and the other medallists of differing varieties, but also due to the diversity of sports and disciplines in which the region’s presence was registered.{{more}}

More than the Caribbean, Rio 2016 turned out to be a big plus for athletes of colour from all parts of the world. This in no way devalues the splendid performances of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in the swimming pool, but there, in a sport where black victories were rare, Simone Manuel of the USA won the 100 metre freestyle to become the fastest woman on earth. It used to be said in the USA that blacks were more than three times as likely to be drowned in a swimming pool as whites, a deliberate ignoring of the socio-economic conditions which prevented a black presence in swimming.

In gymnastics, another Afro-American, Simone Biles, too young to compete in London four years ago, was the shining light, again proving, as Gabby Douglas did in London, what black people can achieve when given the opportunity. Indeed, throughout the Games, athletes of colour continued to make their countries proud. Besides the Jamaicans, there was Mo Farah from Somalia, achieving an historic “double-double” for Britain in the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races, while the outstanding black American sprinter, Alyson Felix, added two relay golds to be second only to Carl Lewis in the number of track and field medals.

Off the field though, the Rio Olympics was never short of controversies. They began with the doubts fuelled by the international media over Brazil’s ability to host the Games, allegations which proved to be unfounded. A big shadow was cast by the doping controversy and the banning of many Russian athletes, including the entire track and field contingent, from participation. This shadow still hovers over the Paralympics, with the Russians continuing to be denied participation.

There were other incidents too that indicated that much more than sport was involved. The international media has done its best to hound South Africa’s middle-distance queen Caster Semenya, casting doubts on her sex and nearly destroying her career. She responded in grand style, conquering all her rivals in the women’s 800 metre race. However, unable to stomach a clean sweep by African runners in the race, the reactions of the white athletes smacked of racism. Two of the defeated white runners, Melissa Bishop of Canada (4th), and Lynsey Sharp of the UK (6th), ignored Semenya’s offer of an embrace, hugging each other instead. A third, Joanna Jozwik of Poland, is reported as commenting, “I’m glad that I’m the first European, the second white, to cross the line”. Nuff said!

These incidents go right against the grain of the Olympic principles. They are not surprising in the context of the intense rivalry, the narrow nationalism and frank discrimination which characterises not just the Olympics, but world sport as a whole. The big nations compete with each other to demonstrate their supposed superiority, carrying the old Cold War rivalry between the Soviet Union and the USA into new arenas and tainting sport with political rivalries.

Still, there were many positives which emerged. The merging of the athletes during the closing ceremony was one such and the spirit of friendship was best exemplified by two athletes, from the feuding parts of Korea, North and South, defying the antics of their political leaders by taking a “selfie” together.

As we conclude, perhaps it is useful to reflect that the single medal each for Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago was won once again by an athlete from a rural community long looked down upon, Gouyave in Grenada and Toco in Trinidad. You get the message! (Contributed by Renwick Rose)