Mexican Memoirs: Big up 400m hurdler Phillips

Guadalajara, Mexico:Hola amigos!

Earlier (it seems so long ago but it was only last week) I gave a 'big up' to badminton player Charles Pyne, a bronze medallist in singles at the XVI Pan American Games here in Guadalajara.

Now I have another one to hand out to 400 metres hurdler Isa Phillips, who won a silver medal here on Thursday. A day before the final Phillips said his mind was not focused fully on this meet. The big one, the IAAF World Athletics Championships, had already gone two months ago in Daegu, South Korea. But, he added, his country had called him and being a 'patriotic Jamaican', despite living in the United States for many years, it was his 'duty' to heed the call.

He also said on Wednesday that he was going to give it his best shot and so he did. He ran his heart out in conditions, which all have now acknowledged are less than ideal for athletes who spend most of their lives living less than 1000 feet above sea level.

Phillips, in congratulating the gold medal winner, Cuba's Omar Cisneros (47.99), said there was no way way he could have beaten him as he did not arrive here in any condition to run 47 seconds. In fact, he would have had to run a personal best to get gold, as he has never gone under 48 seconds in the event.

Surprise doctor's visit

I was not feeling at my very best on Thursday (flu-like symptoms) and I made it known to the press area supervisor, a very courteous Mexican man, Gilberto Souza, who speaks English with a British accent. He suggested that I visit the medical centre. I, however, did not have the time for that, as I was getting close to my deadline and several Jamaican athletes were in action on the track.

Lo and behold, about 15 minutes after I spoke to him, I saw a young female doctor, stethoscope around her neck, standing over me in the press work area. She told me to move to a more appropriate spot in the same room and began to ask me some questions - age, symptoms, medications I was taking etc. She took my blood pressure. I asked her the reading, she said 120/80 (nothing to be alarmed about). I had Panadol 500. She said that was okay and gave me one paracetamol.

Now I am feeling much better and giving out another 'big up' this time to Señor Souza and 'Dr Laura' (I asked for her name but she said if I was still not well the next day I should come to the medical station and ask for Laura).

Hasta mañana.