Article on front page(Jamaica cheats?)

[onlooker]

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=149645

Good article, this sums up my feelings towards the whole Jamaicans cheating accusations by many, not neccessarily on this board but by others. However it's hard to argue one's suspicions after the cheaters we have seen over the years. If Jamaica has a magic potion then they have the greatest scientists in the world, not bad for a third wolrd country uh, go figure.


One love!

[tandfman]

The link you posted gets you to a column about Gov. Palin, not to anything having to do with the Jamaicans.

[onlooker]

yes, I made a mistake there- this is the article I wanted to post:

http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/200 ... sure1.html

[doug091463]

i go to lets run daily and we have reached a point where nobody can improve, or run a fast time without being accused by anonimous lets run posters, i have tried to ask them to make everyone register with their real name which seems like an exercise in futility. if they know someone is cheating by all means present their evidence, but it has just gotten to the point where everyone is accused of cheating, and the anonymous posters at letsrun are the root and sole cause.

[Matt]

It is a little unfair to point the finger al the time - but can anyone tell me why such a disproportionate number of these adult athletes (and I am not just talking Jamaicans here) wear braces on their teeth?

[croflash]

i go to lets run daily and we have reached a point where nobody can improve, or run a fast time without being accused by anonimous lets run posters, i have tried to ask them to make everyone register with their real name which seems like an exercise in futility. if they know someone is cheating by all means present their evidence, but it has just gotten to the point where everyone is accused of cheating, and the anonymous posters at letsrun are the root and sole cause.

Which also happens on other forums a lot, not only T&F related. It's actually the best to not allow any allegations because those are based on pure speculation and once you open that can of worms, it's like a plague. The presumption of innocence can't expire in sports.

[shearer39]

It is a little unfair to point the finger al the time - but can anyone tell me why such a disproportionate number of these adult athletes (and I am not just talking Jamaicans here) wear braces on their teeth?

The unfortunate truth is that in Jamaica, like everywhere else, dental care is very expensive. What you find then is that people who may have dental problems may not have been able to afford corrective dental care untill they have a decent job or start to earn some good money as some of these athletes are now able to do.
If you should visit the business community in Jamaica you will witness both men and women sporting braces, almost as if it was a fashion trend.
It's just a matter of economics. Some things are beyond reach when you are a student but if you land a job that pays well, suddenly things like braces become a lot more affordable.

[mump boy]

i think it's a bit unfair to include jaque rogge in the list of Jamaican detractors :shock:

he had a point about running through the line without show boating it had nothing to do with not supporting JAM athletes.

[26mi235]

It is a little unfair to point the finger al the time - but can anyone tell me why such a disproportionate number of these adult athletes (and I am not just talking Jamaicans here) wear braces on their teeth?

In addition to the comments by Shearer39, athletes are paid by companies and appearance can play a role in how much they get. Did Suzy (FH) get more endorsements because of looks - I suspect so.

[steve]

It is a little unfair to point the finger al the time - but can anyone tell me why such a disproportionate number of these adult athletes (and I am not just talking Jamaicans here) wear braces on their teeth?

They can finally afford them, and are in a world where face time as a result of performance is huge.

[richxx87]

The dude's seriously delusional. Island fever perhaps? Inferiority complex gone ballistic? Where in the heck would he get that Rogge doesn't want a small island nation to win? And if Victor Conte represents all 300 million Americans, the apocalypse is truly upon us. Sure there are whispers from one or two columnists here and there, but my impression is that a huge majority of sports fans are truly stoked about Jamaica's big breakthrough performance.

[Paul Henry]

It is a little unfair to point the finger al the time - but can anyone tell me why such a disproportionate number of these adult athletes (and I am not just talking Jamaicans here) wear braces on their teeth?

I think we have to also remember that there are invisi-line braces. I think if you were trying to hide the fact you were wearing braces one would resort to those. Makes no sense to me why they would incriminate themselves with glaring evidence. Even Courtney Walsh (if you follow cricket) in his forties is blinging the metal on his teeth. Foster's Husband head of the Largest bank in Ja. which is linked to the AIC group wears these things too. But you all have a valid concern to wonder why.

[Paul Henry]

The dude's seriously delusional. Island fever perhaps? Inferiority complex gone ballistic? Where in the heck would he get that Rogge doesn't want a small island nation to win? And if Victor Conte represents all 300 million Americans, the apocalypse is truly upon us. Sure there are whispers from one or two columnists here and there, but my impression is that a huge majority of sports fans are truly stoked about Jamaica's big breakthrough performance.

Personally, even if the star had an article to support my point I wouldn't quote it. This an Island Tabloid paper, which often has headlines like "Dog gives birth to human baby" in order to move volumes. It's really equivalent to the enquirer.

To add: I hardly believe any Jamaican right now feels even an iota of an inferiority complex as it regards T&F!

[HotDiggedyDog]

It is a little unfair to point the finger al the time - but can anyone tell me why such a disproportionate number of these adult athletes (and I am not just talking Jamaicans here) wear braces on their teeth?

They can finally afford them, and are in a world where face time as a result of performance is huge.

But Shelly-Ann Fraser only hit the big time in Beijing, yet she was wearing braces before then. She ran fast at the US Trials and competed in one or two Grand Prix meetings, but I doubt she'd have earned enough from those to suddenly be able to afford braces.

I gotta say, it is weird that four women within the same training group are wearing them. Would the Jamaicans on here be so brace-defensive if Greeks, Belarussians or Russians were all wearing them?

[TrakFan]

My issue with the article's writer (not sure if its the same shearer39 who posts on here) is his generalization of referring to a "Nation of haters". The majority of individuals in the "nation", especially NBC, celebrated with Bolt & the Jamaicans. If his issue is with the press, then he has a legitimate argument since many fans of the sports in America are also frustrated with the eagerness of the press to focus on drugs. Unfortunately, it sounds as if he has a beef with Americans?