Paris, France — In a heartfelt and long-awaited second on the Paris Olympics Reallocation Ceremony on Friday, three Jamaican Olympians lastly obtained the medals they have been unjustly denied years in the past.
The ceremony, held at Champions Park close to the long-lasting Eiffel Tower, was organized by the Jamaica Olympic Affiliation in partnership with the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC), bringing closure to athletes who’ve waited over a decade for his or her rightful recognition.
Bev McDonald, who was awarded the bronze medal for the 200m on the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Chelsea Hammond-Ross, now a bronze medalist within the ladies’s lengthy leap from the Beijing 2008 Olympics, and Kaliese Spencer-Carter, who secured a bronze within the 400m hurdles from the London 2012 Olympics, shared their feelings as they lastly held the medals of their arms.
Bittersweet
For Spencer-Carter, the wait of 12 years has been bittersweet. “It’s been a very long time, it’s been laborious fought however I’ve to be grateful,” Spencer-Carter stated with a smile. “I’m very completely satisfied that my son was capable of expertise this as nicely. I’ve misplaced out on rather a lot, endorsement-wise and in any other case, however I’m simply excited and grateful that lastly, I’m capable of simply come out right here and have that have with the opposite two women that have been additionally medalists.”
Spencer-Carter, who was awarded her medal after the disqualification of Natalya Antyukh, mirrored on the influence of sharing this second along with her household. “Positively, particularly my son,” she added, expressing hope that her son would possibly comply with in her athletic footsteps. “I’m simply tremendous grateful.”
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McDonald, who waited an astounding 24 years for her bronze medal after the disqualification of Marion Jones, spoke of her reduction and pleasure. “What has occurred as we speak after ready 24 years, I’ve lastly bought my bronze medal,” McDonald stated, the emotion clear in her voice. “It’s value it as a result of my son wouldn’t be right here watching mommy getting her medal.”
McDonald recounted how she had given up hope of ever receiving her medal till her husband, Raymond Stewart, took up the trigger. “I gave up a very long time in the past and my husband simply stored at it and wrote to the IOC, they usually responded that they’re going to give me the medal,” she revealed, expressing deep gratitude for the perseverance that led to today.
16-year wait
Hammond-Ross, whose wait of 16 years was equally attempting, shared her pleasure about lastly receiving her medal. “Oh my goodness, I’m excited to share this second with my teammates, with my household, my two children,” Hammond-Ross stated, her voice filled with emotion. “It was a protracted course of, 16 years, proper, however it’s right here. I needed to have some persistence and simply converse up a bit of bit, see what’s occurring, and make it occur.”
Hammond-Ross, who missed out on the second of glory in Beijing, candidly shared the emotional journey she’s been on since. “It could’t substitute it, I’m not gonna lie,” she admitted. “After I left that observe in 2008, I stated, ‘oh I’m gonna get a medal!’ I knew from then, however I didn’t realize it was going to take 16 years.”
Regardless of the years of ready and the lack of the quick thrill of victory, Hammond-Ross expressed her happiness and reduction. “In fact, I’m very completely satisfied. I can’t even course of it as a result of that second was stolen, it was hurtful, however as we speak I’m gonna soak all of it in,” she stated, beaming with pleasure.
All three athletes shared a way of gratitude for the popularity, although it got here years after their Olympic performances. Their tales spotlight the resilience and perseverance required not simply in athletics however in life. As they proudly held their medals, these Jamaican Olympians reminded the world that justice, although delayed, can nonetheless deliver a second of triumph and closure.
