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'Mistakes cost Jamaica a medal'
Anthony Foster , Freelance Writer
Bert Cameron...4x400m coach at 2007 World Champs.
National 400m champion Sanjay Ayre believes technical mistakes were made which cost Jamaica a 4x400m medal at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan earlier this month.
Responding to the Foster's Focus column, written in last Thursday's Gleaner, Ayre, said: "I felt like technical mistakes were made"
He said after suffering from cramps in the 400 semi-finals he was asked to run a 150m time trial at 95% to prove his fitness, which he complied.
Ayre said he covered the 150m distance in 15 seconds flat, the night before the heats of the 4x400m relays.
"I suggested to coach (Bertland) Cameron to run Danny McFarlane in the heats considering he already had three days rest after the completion of the 400m hurdles, and rest me for the relay finals," he added.
Ayre believes it was wrong to run him in the heats. "I felt running that 15 second 150m and a 44.6 seconds split in the relay semi-finals was too much for my hamstring."
Ayre, who won his first national 400m title at June's National Championships, said this would not have happened if Cameron had taken his advice.
"Also, after the relay heats I was very impressed with (Leford) Green's run. I went to Cameron and suggested Green stay on for the finals and he agreed," continued Ayre.
He said he also requested inclusion of McFarlane for Blackwood this after the latter could only manage 46 seconds in the heats and looked flat on the first leg.
Nothing against Blackwood
Ayre, the captain of the 4x400m relay team, was quick to make it clear that he had nothing against Blackwood, "but that was everyone's observation".
According to Ayre, Cameron told the relay squad at a meeting that 'there wasn't a better option than the four guys that ran the heats'.
When contacted on Monday, Cameron said Ayre was just trying to find an excuse for his poor performance.
Cameron said Ayre should not be talking because he came into the camp on August 23 for a race on the 27th.
"Sanjay (Ayre) wanted to dictate who should run on the team," Cameron added.
"He wanted me to replace Michael Blackwood, who is one of (Jamaica's) best lead-off men, with Danny McFarlane," he said.
In closing, Ayre said: "I just want to make it clear to everyone, I didn't feel my injury during warm ups before the final race but as soon as I took the stick and sprinted my first 50 metres I started feeling severe cramps.
Lot of sacrifice
"I tried to hold on for a medal. I was running in a lot of discomfort, but I never considered stopping because it was the last race of the championship..."
He continued: "I have taken a lot of criticism for my relay performance. It was a tough World Championship for me because of injury. I made a lot of sacrifice to be successful in Osaka.
"My preparation was great. I paid all expenses for my personal massage therapist and coach to accompany me to the Championships," he said to underline how serious he was going into the Championships.
With Ayre running the final leg Jamaica finished fourth in the 4x400m in 3:00.76 after being in second spot 100 metres out. The United States won in 2:55.56 with Bahamas second in 2:59.18. Poland were third in 3:00.05.
Anthony Foster , Freelance Writer
Bert Cameron...4x400m coach at 2007 World Champs.
National 400m champion Sanjay Ayre believes technical mistakes were made which cost Jamaica a 4x400m medal at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan earlier this month.
Responding to the Foster's Focus column, written in last Thursday's Gleaner, Ayre, said: "I felt like technical mistakes were made"
He said after suffering from cramps in the 400 semi-finals he was asked to run a 150m time trial at 95% to prove his fitness, which he complied.
Ayre said he covered the 150m distance in 15 seconds flat, the night before the heats of the 4x400m relays.
"I suggested to coach (Bertland) Cameron to run Danny McFarlane in the heats considering he already had three days rest after the completion of the 400m hurdles, and rest me for the relay finals," he added.
Ayre believes it was wrong to run him in the heats. "I felt running that 15 second 150m and a 44.6 seconds split in the relay semi-finals was too much for my hamstring."
Ayre, who won his first national 400m title at June's National Championships, said this would not have happened if Cameron had taken his advice.
"Also, after the relay heats I was very impressed with (Leford) Green's run. I went to Cameron and suggested Green stay on for the finals and he agreed," continued Ayre.
He said he also requested inclusion of McFarlane for Blackwood this after the latter could only manage 46 seconds in the heats and looked flat on the first leg.
Nothing against Blackwood
Ayre, the captain of the 4x400m relay team, was quick to make it clear that he had nothing against Blackwood, "but that was everyone's observation".
According to Ayre, Cameron told the relay squad at a meeting that 'there wasn't a better option than the four guys that ran the heats'.
When contacted on Monday, Cameron said Ayre was just trying to find an excuse for his poor performance.
Cameron said Ayre should not be talking because he came into the camp on August 23 for a race on the 27th.
"Sanjay (Ayre) wanted to dictate who should run on the team," Cameron added.
"He wanted me to replace Michael Blackwood, who is one of (Jamaica's) best lead-off men, with Danny McFarlane," he said.
In closing, Ayre said: "I just want to make it clear to everyone, I didn't feel my injury during warm ups before the final race but as soon as I took the stick and sprinted my first 50 metres I started feeling severe cramps.
Lot of sacrifice
"I tried to hold on for a medal. I was running in a lot of discomfort, but I never considered stopping because it was the last race of the championship..."
He continued: "I have taken a lot of criticism for my relay performance. It was a tough World Championship for me because of injury. I made a lot of sacrifice to be successful in Osaka.
"My preparation was great. I paid all expenses for my personal massage therapist and coach to accompany me to the Championships," he said to underline how serious he was going into the Championships.
With Ayre running the final leg Jamaica finished fourth in the 4x400m in 3:00.76 after being in second spot 100 metres out. The United States won in 2:55.56 with Bahamas second in 2:59.18. Poland were third in 3:00.05.
Mi a get too ole fi cuss and galang bad!!
Matter of fact next year is my 25th Anniv. wid the company, and the gift options include a TV.
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