There is a mounting debate amongst the local athletics body to introduce testing for athletes at the junior level. This would include athletes competing at the very competitive Girl and Boys Championship. While there is some common sense involved in this planned approach, there are some negatives that I would like to highlight. My often held view is that good sense is not 'common'.
In my estimation Jamaican authorities are being pressured by the overseas media to move beyond the world norm. Were in the world are junior athletes at a high school level competiton being tested? Not in the US, UK or Europe from my limited research. It seems that with the exploits of athletes such as Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and now the rising star Yohan Blake that whispers have begun in the galleries. This is reinforced more by the recent failed test of Shelly-Ann Fraser, and one can say the verdict is yet to be determined, but one is often guilty until proven innocent in this regard. People are quick to point fingers, especially when a B sample comes back positive, it doesn't even matter if the substance is a non-performing agent.
The media has often been a killer of dreams, cultures and countries. This is the case for poor Jamaica. When we rise above the mediocrity of the world, we are placed in a box and scrutinized under the microscope of doubt. When Usain runs 9.58 in the 100 meters, the doubters made conspiracy theories questioning his meteoric rise.
With Jamaica's explosive performance at the 2008 Olympics and then the 2009 World Championships, countries are seeing red in their eyes. The media has become the pawn to be sacrificed in order to discredit our performances. Many media houses globally watched the 2010 Boys and Girls Championships in awe, and no doubt were stunned into disbelief, that a country considered 'third world' by the powers that be could produce such outstanding performances. Now our local body has been drawn into the temptation of listening to the world instead of continuing to nurture the growth of the youth program. There is no doubt that without the excellent management of the authorities that we would never be able to produce athletes such as Asafa and Bolt, and so many other outstanding athletes. However, it does not seem fair that juniors should be subjected to the rigorous testing that our senior athletes endure. It is very demanding for an athlete to monitor every single thing that enters his body. When you are a junior you want to be able to consume all foods. Although it is well known that many high schools give their athletes supplements to increase muscle growth and recovery. Yes, the testing will prepare then for the rigors of senior level competition, but they should be allowed to enjoy their youth.
If they do intend to introduce a drug testing policy, it should be for athletes above 16 years old. There is no way in my estimation that a 12 year old should be subjected to such testing. In fact, I would suggest that if a child below 16 years old is asked to take a drug test, that parents should not allow this to happen.
Whatever the outcome will be, let us hope that 'common sense' is used in the process and not the emotion induced by the overseas media houses.
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