Hold on to your dreams, Melaine!
FOSTER’S FAIRPLAY is sending a warm shout-out to former Olympic and World 400 metres hurdles champion Melaine Walker. She was one of those neversay-die athletes who first made herself known on the international scene with a sprint medal at the inaugural World Youth Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in 1999.
Her journey to prominence was multifaceted as she competed in both hurdles, sprints and relays, pocketing medals at the Junior World level and soaring to the heights of global honours at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the World Championships in Berlin the following year.
Then came a much-reported disagreement with her training camp as she sought to return to the 100m hurdles where she had received distinction at the USA collegiate level. It led to a parting of the ways and, as it has been for a few years, a total absence from meaningful competition.
Very little has been heard from her until recently. She is reported to be back at the base where she achieved world dominance under ace MVP coach, Stephen Francis. Foster’s Fairplay is pleased with this development.
Her situation brings to mind an interview with her at the 1998 World Juniors in Annecy, France. She was only 15 years old at that time and running the 200m against some who were four years her senior, she was not in any way daunted. Her words were simply, “I am not here to make up numbers.”At the end of four rounds, as it was then, she took fifth place and a future star was born.
Foster’s Fairplay is not about to debate right or wrong, as far as Melaine’s decision to change her event is concerned.
There was a lot of negative comment, then, and to rehearse them could send the wrong message to an athlete for whom the best is wished. This column chooses to encourage her to further excellence and not join the gang of naysayers who feel that the former double champion should be forgotten.
In that regard and in an attempt to promote positive thinking, we ask that the fight to return to better days remains alive. Melaine should refrain from engaging those who are in doubt as to her proven quality. She would be well-advised to hold on to her dreams and allow them to be fulfilled on the tracks. That is where it matters. There should be no time for self-doubt or thoughts on whether she made a right decision.
It was the one which she wanted and she should focus her energies on making it happen. It is what will bring back those who would want to question her moves. No one, especially one who has already demonstrated her worth, should be subjected to ridicule or rejection for adding a new desire to their lives. It will remain your decision, young lady, and it is for you to see it through to a successful conclusion. You have earned that right and like Foster’s Fairplay, one hopes that your detractors will be willing to once again crown you as queen when what you now hope for becomes a reality.
You go, girl, you got this.