No doubt, not many Jamaicans were sympathetic towards the American men's and women's 4x100m relay teams when they both dropped the baton last Thursday.

No doubt, there are many Jamaicans who would have felt a sense of satisfaction about the women's mishap, especially after the protests they mounted about the 100m which threatened to spoil Jamaica's clean sweep of the top medals.

And, with their history of showboating and 'show-offness', no doubt, there are many of us who would have rejoiced to see the dejected faces after the baton went tumbling to the track.

However, we believe that despite the history of sometimes contentious competition between the US and Jamaica, on the track, there is room for sympathy (and even pity) for them.

We must remember the Americans are very much into show business, in all spheres of life, from rolling out new cars and computers, to boxing and golf. With their incredible media machinery, they simply hype up everything. It is only natural that their athletes would play up to this, hoping for the pay-off in endorsements.

Of course, some are naturally arrogant and offensive, just like some residents of any other nation. But just as all Jamaicans are not drug smugglers, we should not make blanket statements about others.

In addition, the absence of the US teams at the once-every-four-years match-up does take away some of the lustre. If only they had got that baton around.