Sports Scope

By Fred Sturrup

FPN Acting Managing Editor

Mike Fennell might prefer to avoid commenting or might actually seek to support fellow Jamaican Usain Bolt. I would have no difficulty either way, but, I believe the world's best sprinter's planned absence from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, is not good. It's not only about competing in front of the Indian people and giving them a direct taste of greatness like never experienced before.

To me, it's more about doing whatever is possible to uplift one of our very own sports administrators. Fennell is the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation. This is huge for the region. He is the first of the Caribbean to head such a large world body. The New Delhi Commonwealth Games will be Fennell's big stage. It will be a special moment in time for the Caribbean. Certainly at a time when the Caribbean owns the athlete considered widely as the greatest ever, the Commonwealth Games under Fennell's presidency should be graced with Bolt's presence.

This decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games, was made a long time ago by the Bolt camp. His coach Glen Mills was reported saying in June, that Bolt was aware months before that New Delhi was not a part of his schedule. This is a difficult one to understand. Mills and the other hierarchy individuals around Bolt have him on a schedule, competing all over the world.

Sports people understand schedules and how important they are. Also, when there is a slight strain or any small malady, it is acknowledged that the schedules would be impacted accordingly. However, to decide months ago not to go to the Commonwealth Games when one of your very own, happens to be the president, is an amazing position to take.

The people of India are up in arms. Sports Minister M.S. Gill is calling on Fennell to "do something" about the withdrawal of big names. Also, not scheduled to attend the games in New Delhi, is multiple Olympic cycling champion and double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy of Great Britain.

Jamaican Shelly Ann-Fraser, the Olympic/World champion recently tested positive for an illegal substance, so in her case, her absence from the games is understood. Fennell might have little influence with the European top athletes. But, one would have thought that Bolt's camp would be inclined to recognize the status of Fennell and what it would mean for Bolt to be at the games. The world's attention would then be on Commonwealth Games 2010 that will begin on October 4.

If Bolt does not go, the interest around the world will be minimal.

Bolt, owns the individual world records in the 100 metres (9.58) and the 200 metres (19.19). For my money, he is the best world track and field has ever seen. None of the past greats are on his level. Just this past Sunday at the Paris Diamond League Meet in Stade de France, he overcame a horrible start to bolt past fellow countryman Asafa Powell and win in 9.84.

That's how good he is.

He was out of the race at 60 metres and admitted that he felt Powell would win. But such is his gift for sprinting, that he moved up along side Powell in the next 30 metres and strode ahead in the final 10 for the clean win. Powell finished in 9.91.

Bolt would electrify all of India and he would bring new world attention to the Commonwealth Games.

He should go.