Big Names Bow Out at Athens
From Emeka Enechi and Pius Ayinor in Athens
The Olympics Games are hosted every four years. It is no doubt the biggest showcase of world sport. Records tumble while new ones are created each Olympic year. It therefore affords athletes the opportunity to exhibit their talents. Consequently too, up coming stars burst into lime light from seeming nowhere to make an instant and indelible impression.
It will be difficult harping on this issue without mentioning the likes of Michael Phelps of America who at the age 19 rocked the swimming world at last year's world championship. In this category is equally 15-year-old Hungarian swimmer Daniel Gyurta, who dusted world record holder Brendan Hansen, to the second place in the 200 metres breast stroke event. We also have American sprint sensation 20-year-old Lauren Williams, a silver medal winner in the women's 100 metres event. There are others.
But for those on the ascendency of their careers, mere participation at the games means different things to them. The atmosphere and Olympic spirit urges them on. And for this case, immediate retirement, which is too hard to be considered, believe that though they may not be in the best shape and form for the games, participation still offers that fulfilment and with the 2008 games still very far away, Athens provided the best and probably the last opportunity for these athletes and great Olympians to bid the games a final farewell.
So, coming into the Athens Games was a plethora of athletes who could be considered as legends of the games. Many of them were making their fourth or fifth appearances. It was not easy going into the games with young and promising athletes. But as they braved the moment, some of them managed to get deserved and warm applause. Those in this bracket include Africa's most respected female long distance runner Maria Mutola widely known as 'Maputo Express' because of her style and consistency in the event over the years. Pint size but highly adored Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, who remained unbeaten for years, Jamaican-born Slovenia runner Marlene Ottey, Frankie Fredericks, Hestrie Cloete, Gail Devers among others have achieved a lot that the memories of their performance will forever remain ever green in the minds of the Olympic family.
For sometime now, Haile's compatriot Bekele, who is younger and more energetic has shown the Kenyan expertise and dominance in the long distance event. It was never in doubt that he was the man to beat here in Athens. So, penultimate Friday night was one moment the world waited to witness one of the most dramatic races in modern Olympics. Haile, once with the greatest burst in the world, went into the race gunning for his third straight gold, could not help but relapse into the fifth place confirming the state of his bones which failed to carry him as fast as they used some years ago.
Haile, with his charismatic smile notwithstanding, his placing joined his compatriots who won the gold and silver in the celebration lap. That celebration was significant in many ways. It was time to appreciate the Olympic family that had accorded him love and respect throughout the period he reigned supreme. It meant equally that it could be his last appearance in the event at the games. To him, it could as well mean a handing over ceremony to the younger Bekele whom he expects should control the baton. It was equally heartbreaking for queen of the tracks and one of the longest serving sprinters representing Slovenia, Merlene Ottey who was chasing her ninth Olympics medal but her first gold when she failed to realise her age long dream. At 44 and as a grand mother, Ottey was an interesting sight to behold. She was as elegant as ever and did not blink an eye even with the stiff opposition coming from young athletes like Lauryn Williams and others. She maintained her pace suggesting, however, that the fire in her is still raging.
One of Africa's best in 200 metres Namibia's Frankie Fredericks who won silver medals in 1992 and 1996 respectively failed to make the semi finals here. That in every sense of the word did not show that he lacked his swiftness or hunger for a medal. Indeed, his performance over the years shows a man whose track record is at least as impressive as those who won gold but ultimately had shorter careers.
Similarly, spectators laid siege to 'Maputo Express' Maria Mutola's electrifying performance. It was never to be. She was beaten to the fourth position - thus suggesting that her years of solid reign in the event was over.
Somehow, Cloete Hestrie does not belong to this elite class but had decided on her to vacate the stage after Athens. She had set for herself the target of winning women's high jump gold but insists that with or without the medal she would be quitting this summer.
Nigeria's Mary Onyali Omagbemi, probably saw the handwriting on the wall but failed to obey her instincts. She was to quit after the All Africa Games where she won a record four gold medals. She failed to compete in the women's 200 metres final an indication that she had reached her peak. Onyali had been a familiar face since the early 80's.
To these athletes, it may not matter after all whether they won medals or not as their participation and representation of their respective countries is enough consolation.
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