Why Do Jamaicans Run So Fast?

[knite]

[quote=Paul Henry]

Per capita does not deal with the realities of one nation who's has a huge national interest in the sport of T&F with respect to another who has to deal with the sport of T&F being a 3rd tier sport.
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Probably that's why the question intimating that Jamaicans are so fast is fitting. Its not literally saying that Jamaicans are swift people and likly to be swifter than other people (the stats could be swayed either way).

Its just highlighting some things including that which you said. Its more of a metaphor to say Jamaicans really love track and do well in it for what they are worth, further to that given the current trends and maintainance of their devoted track programme, they will continue to do well for what they are worth or up to their ultimate potential.

Come on guys lets not get in over our heads. as I said , I don't think this is one of those kinds of threads. someone said it best Ja is always there at the stellar event every 4 years or every other year with creditable performances. Last year was all aces kind a hand which might be unlikely to happen again but sure to get somewhere near there again.

Just relax and make the good vibes flow.

Who's uptight? Or making this into more than what it is?

Just making my opinion known as the next poster.

I never get the idea that this speed with JA is a "new thing"...they've been very good on the world level for a long time. Now, it might not be in the bunch as we've seen last yr, but that had more to do with the dominance of Bolt last yr than it being a ton of JA athletes overpowering the world scene. While I accept the women's result, I still question it, as even one of the medalists still has a problem dealing with this race as well.

You just under-rated all track fans who seasonally pay their hard earned money to watch various meets and stay tuned to all foums on which they can get news about various track events by saying : "that had more to do with the dominance of Bolt Last year" if you check the history the island of Jamaica had many near miss occasions of a "Bolt Last Year" if you check the records man when all lineages are eveluated and scenarios assessed.

The statement about the lady and her dealing with it just translates to one thing : Mean spirit. You were at the helm of the charge when I commented about Sanya choking to defend her. I think that level of thinking could be extended to whichever of the girls with whom you have an issue.

P.S. I said nothing about uptight.[/quote:2ujp80g1]

WHAT??

Please speak about what I WRITE not about what your interpretation into something that has absolutely nothing other than what I actually stated.
You'd do yourself a favor without coming up with your own summations.

Thanks

[mrbowie]

Climate, social activities (or lack there of), genetic make up...............and lets not forget those famous 'yams'

I'm guessing the question is more rhetorical than literal, but in order the reasons are:

1. genetic - that West Central African DNA is good stuff
2. social - their culture values sprinters
3. resources - good sprint training doesn't require anything more than the island(s) can provide.
4. good coaching - athletic Darwinism ensures that

1000 percent correct.

[sprintblox]

Frankly T&F is ranked 3rd in JA behind football and cricket.

In JA, when they see a fast guy on the football (soccer) field, they convince him to become a sprinter on the track team.

In the USA , when they see a fast guy on the track, they convince him to be an (American) football player.

Not sure this is based on facts...the JA part that is...

Well, it was true in my school in JA.

[fortis]

why do jamaican run so fast

the sensationalists and book sellers will peddle the genetic stuff but what is not in doubt is the 100 years of stellar high school track and field competition in jamaica.
the level of this competition was established from it's inception in 1910 by the 100 yards class 1 champion, Norman Manley whose 10 flat would have qualified him for the 1912 olympics final if he had not instead opted for an equally illustrious academic vocation (Rhodes scholar, lawyer) and politician - founder of the People's National Party and subsequent national Hero. of Jamaica.

For more history, see ilnk below.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/ ... arts2.html

[fortis]

why do jamaican run so fast

the sensationalists and book sellers will peddle the genetic stuff but what is not in doubt is the 100 years of stellar high school track and field competition in jamaica.
the level of this competition was established from it's inception in 1910 by the 100 yards class 1 champion, Norman Manley whose 10 flat would have qualified him for the 1912 olympics final if he had not instead opted for an equally illustrious academic vocation (Rhodes scholar, lawyer) and politician - founder of the People's National Party and subsequent national Hero. of Jamaica.

For more history, see ilnk below.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/ ... arts2.html

[usafa]

Frankly T&F is ranked 3rd in JA behind football and cricket.

In JA, when they see a fast guy on the football (soccer) field, they convince him to become a sprinter on the track team.

In the USA , when they see a fast guy on the track, they convince him to be an (American) football player.

Not sure this is based on facts...the JA part that is...

[Frans Rutten]

[quote=Paul Henry]

2008 2009
Bolt 9,69 10,00
Powell 9,72 10,07
Michael Frater 9,97 10,15
Nestor Carter 9,98 10,15
Julien Dunkley 10,07 ?
Marvin Anderson 10,11 10,20
Ainsley Waugh 10,14 10,16
Steve Mullings 10,19 ?
Bolt 19,30 ?
Marvin Anderson 20,17 20,15
Christopher Williams 20,20 20,62
Nesta Carter 20,31 20,69
Shelly-Ann Fraser 10,78 11,15
Kerron Stewart 10,80 10,92
Sherone Simpson 10,87 ?
VCB 10,87 11,04
Simone Facey 10,95 11,23
Sheri-Ann Brooks 11,14 11,18
Samantha Henry 11,16 11,14
Peta-Gave Dowdie 11,20 ?
Aleen Bailey 11,20 11,07
VCB 21,74 22,58
Kerron Stewart 21,99 22,62
Sherone Simpson 22,11 ?
Shelly-Ann Fraser 22,15 23,44

These Jamaican athletes have in 2 months still a lot of catching up to do.
The obvious thought: Should we change the title of the topic?

??????? Seriously, dont tell me that you are trying to make a point with regards to the topic and all that have been written by the other posters? the topic for that post would be......[/quote:v4tzi3cr]

I have read with interest this topic and I certainly do respect the matter, with which some posters come up. And of cause I knew quite well, being sort off topic with my kind of reply. But the statistical survey I made gave me a sort of justification expressing not too harshly, what I also think. You obviously didn't appreciate this.

[sprintblox]

Frankly T&F is ranked 3rd in JA behind football and cricket.

In JA, when they see a fast guy on the football (soccer) field, they convince him to become a sprinter on the track team.

In the USA , when they see a fast guy on the track, they convince him to be an (American) football player.

[Pego]

Those are the fast ones. East Africans are great at distant running, not much for sprinting.

Although there have been one or two good Kenyan 400m runners in the past.

There have been quite a few of excellent 400 runners of all kinds of ethnicity. For some reason, some males of West African roots have the explosive sprinting ability (100,200) above other ethnic groups. I don't think, anybody has a good explanation for this phenomenon. This isn't nearly as much visible in the females.

[AthleticsInBritain]

Those are the fast ones. East Africans are great at distant running, not much for sprinting.

Although there have been one or two good Kenyan 400m runners in the past.

[Pego]

It appears from the linked article that the book attempts to answer that question.

Well the author of book is speaking more along the lines of the Jamaican athletes, with West African roots.

Those are the fast ones. East Africans are great at distant running, not much for sprinting.

[usafa]

Per capita does not deal with the realities of one nation who's has a huge national interest in the sport of T&F with respect to another who has to deal with the sport of T&F being a 3rd tier sport.

IMO, it gives a new meaning to the entire "per capita" argument. As no one can tell me that all of our best athletes are participating in the sport with respect to population.

This doesn't necessarily means that only and all the best athletes in Jamaica run track. Certainly, there may have been many Jamaica footballers with great speed that could have been great sprinters if they had chosen athletics. I don't know of any, but maybe some posters on this board may have.
One Love!

From the current national player - the only one I can think of that would have some success as a sprinter is Luton Shelton - definately a low 10 sprinter. There has also been rumors about Ricordos Fuller and Gardner, but they both chose football quiet early. Demar Phillips, Dane Richards and some of the younger players are quite quick - but chose football instead.

Need to add Omar Daley (man he is quick - too quick for his own good) to this list..rumored to have beaten Bolt in a beach race - I will dig up what I can find on this.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/16092008/ ... demen.html

There is also Merlene Ottey's cousin Allan though only 16 is a member of the U20 squad and a very usefull part time sprinter - he is being pulled in many directions right now, however, I think he is being guided by Bucknor (cricket umpire) so he should be ok.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/ ... rts11.html

Also, Kieron Bernard - again a really good sprinter chosing football.


Mikey Holding and Courtney Walsh were useful sprinters also. From my days of Calabar I remember the fights over Wayne Cargill - who chose football instead of track.

[guruof track]

I'm telling you its those 'yams' for the women and them 'nuggets' for the men. Its been proven. Case closed!

[knite]

Per capita does not deal with the realities of one nation who's has a huge national interest in the sport of T&F with respect to another who has to deal with the sport of T&F being a 3rd tier sport.

IMO, it gives a new meaning to the entire "per capita" argument. As no one can tell me that all of our best athletes are participating in the sport with respect to population.

This doesn't necessarily means that only and all the best athletes in Jamaica run track. Certainly, there may have been many Jamaica footballers with great speed that could have been great sprinters if they had chosen athletics. I don't know of any, but maybe some posters on this board may have.





One Love!

That is neither my insinuation either, not sure where you get that from. However, the comparison in a nation where T&F is a hugely popular sport, to a nation where its clearly a 3rd tier sport and struggling against the likes of Celebrity Poker or some bogus ishh like that, would lend to the idea that while many may participate, many never have a 2nd thought about competing in the sport. Case in point. My HS friend was All-State in wrestling and played football in the fall, he would always say "I'm coming out to join the team"...but never actually did it. However, he went on to college in DIII and went out for track and became the national champ in the 100m's in his very 1st yr, and was AA in the 200m's. I remember us speaking about if he would have participated in the sport in HS and how far it could have taken him after going 10.4 competing on the DIII level...the training, facilities, coaching, attention he would have gotten would have certainly allowed him for a possibility to a future in the sport. He's a cop now and the only medal he's putting on something is the metal around someone's wrists.....

[onlooker]

Per capita does not deal with the realities of one nation who's has a huge national interest in the sport of T&F with respect to another who has to deal with the sport of T&F being a 3rd tier sport.

IMO, it gives a new meaning to the entire "per capita" argument. As no one can tell me that all of our best athletes are participating in the sport with respect to population.

This doesn't necessarily means that only and all the best athletes in Jamaica run track. Certainly, there may have been many Jamaica footballers with great speed that could have been great sprinters if they had chosen athletics. I don't know of any, but maybe some posters on this board may have.





One Love!