Laurie Foster | All’s well that ends well

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) must now be kicking itself for issuing a ruling, which said that the highly disputed race in which Danielle Williams was disqualified, was declared null and void.

There are those who are adamant that no such declaration came from the ruling body, but a look at the news release issued from its offices late last week will confirm that the decision to render the athlete eligible for the Doha World Championship, rested on the fact that the earlier ineligibility call by the JAAA could not stand. The body claimed in its explanation that, according to advice from ‘international experts’, Williams’ false start at the championships would have to be a part of the null and void declaration.

Foster’s Fairplay’s avid reader, Whyllo, was at it again after the release freeing up Williams to face the starters in Doha was published.

He celebrated. “Thank goodness, good sense (and pressure) has prevailed. Hallelujah.”

Calls made subsequently to the radio call-in programmes have echoed his sentiments. Whereas this columnist is in full agreement, it would have been in the best interests of all concerned if this unfortunate incident had not occurred. Track and field has done a lot of good things for our country. Included among them is the attention that has been focused on Jamaica, which brings foreign investments to our shores.

The JAAA is the entity charged with the responsibility of running the sport, and seeing to the image of our athletes is a very important part of this function. If athletes do not live up to what is expected of them, whether in local or overseas competition, they should be disciplined.

It remains clear that Williams transgressed at the Trials, and her refusal to accept the disqualification by returning to her blocks after being shown where she erred left the JAAA with the feeling that additional action had to be taken.

Where the JAAA went wrong is what happened after. It would appear that the administration was so annoyed by Williams’ behaviour that they followed a course of action which proved to be ill-advised. Not taking the time to reflect on the consequences, the event was declared null and void and the effects of that hasty decision have now been revealed to its discredit.

With Diamond League title in her event, being the available route for Williams to Doha, the JAAA issued two statements that were unworthy of a body of its stature.

First, it was that if Williams achieved the Diamond League title, it was not automatic that she would be allowed to accept the wild card.

This is not in keeping with the conditions under which a wild card is issued. Added to that, it was also said that the question of affordability to include Williams on the team would be a deciding factor.

Hint of malice

There appeared to be a hint of malice in all of this. It was as if the JAAA was attempting to block every conceivable opportunity for Williams to participate in Doha. Thankfully, with the latest development, all that fuss, anxiety and ill-feeling should now be ended.

In the meantime, Williams continues to distinguish herself on the Diamond League circuit, her latest triumph being another victory over the 100mh world record holder, Kendra Harrison, at the Birmingham staging this past weekend. Coming both from her coach, Lennox Graham, and her position at the top of the world rankings, she is on track to take the Diamond League title, regardless of the controversy going on off the track.

From what Foster’s Fairplay has been made privy to, there was a definite and strategically sound agenda to remove her plans to fight against the disqualification from the public space, while righting the perceived wrong which she suffered.

Now that the ineligibility has been reversed, there is a matter of further interest. With her being named to the team, another athlete would be denied a place unless Williams wins the Diamond League title, affording her a wild card invitation, and she takes that opportunity and not the confirmation of selection by the JAAA.

In that case, the country would field four athletes in the event, including the one who was displaced by Williams’ selection.

Continued success is wished for her.

Laurie Foster is a veteran sports journalist .