Frater, Carter deserve honour
Published: Saturday | August 25, 2012
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Recently, the following information was brought to my attention: "In 2008, Jamaica set the 4x100m world record for the first time: 37.10 with Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.
"Fast-forward to 2012 and the world record is now 36.84 with Carter, Frater, Yohan Blake and Bolt; and most people think, 'Wow! Blake and Bolt sure are fast.'
"Guess what? Relative to the same legs from 2008, Blake and Bolt were actually slower. On the third leg, Blake 2012 was 0.1s slower than Bolt 2008, and on anchor leg, Bolt 2012 was 0.1s slower than Powell 2008. The difference? Nesta Carter and Michael Frater were both faster.
"Carter took an astonishing 0.3+s off his 2008 lead-off leg time and Frater went sub-9.0, taking 0.1s off his 2008 second leg. These two men, stalwarts of Jamaican track and field, are the ones that stepped up and made the difference.
"Unheralded by many, unrecognised for their contribution, they both played a tremendous role in Jamaica being the first team to ever go sub-37 seconds in the 4x100m relay."
Assuming the above to be accurate, on the basis of that information and the basis of the sustained brilliance of these two gentlemen in their performances on the track, and their exemplary conduct as sporting ambassadors of Jamaica over many years, I now advocate that, at the earliest opportunity, both Michael Frater and Nesta Carter be conferred with a national honour above the Order of Distinction (which they currently have) by a grateful country.
CLARENCE W. WALKER
Judge of the Court of Appeal (Retired)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2.../letters3.html
Published: Saturday | August 25, 2012
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Recently, the following information was brought to my attention: "In 2008, Jamaica set the 4x100m world record for the first time: 37.10 with Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.
"Fast-forward to 2012 and the world record is now 36.84 with Carter, Frater, Yohan Blake and Bolt; and most people think, 'Wow! Blake and Bolt sure are fast.'
"Guess what? Relative to the same legs from 2008, Blake and Bolt were actually slower. On the third leg, Blake 2012 was 0.1s slower than Bolt 2008, and on anchor leg, Bolt 2012 was 0.1s slower than Powell 2008. The difference? Nesta Carter and Michael Frater were both faster.
"Carter took an astonishing 0.3+s off his 2008 lead-off leg time and Frater went sub-9.0, taking 0.1s off his 2008 second leg. These two men, stalwarts of Jamaican track and field, are the ones that stepped up and made the difference.
"Unheralded by many, unrecognised for their contribution, they both played a tremendous role in Jamaica being the first team to ever go sub-37 seconds in the 4x100m relay."
Assuming the above to be accurate, on the basis of that information and the basis of the sustained brilliance of these two gentlemen in their performances on the track, and their exemplary conduct as sporting ambassadors of Jamaica over many years, I now advocate that, at the earliest opportunity, both Michael Frater and Nesta Carter be conferred with a national honour above the Order of Distinction (which they currently have) by a grateful country.
CLARENCE W. WALKER
Judge of the Court of Appeal (Retired)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2.../letters3.html
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