THE EDITOR, Sir:

To surpass the success of others is good, but to surpass our own success is best of all. I say hail to thunder Bolt, the straight winner.

I will not assume to know what impacted Asafa Powell that psyched him out of taking even a second-place finish in the 100 metres. But I recall that Cassius 'Muhammed Ali' Clay, of boxing fame, used to beat his opponents before even getting into the ring, simply by making negative utterances about them and boasting how he will beat them. While I am not implying that such was Bolt's doing, if one has a fragile or fluctuating ego, one could very easily be knocked over by a feather if such was the case. This again, might not be Asafa's case.

Be that as it may, Asafa needs all the support that he can get from the Jamaican people at this time. May I just reassure him that he is a fine, personable, charming and classy type of fellow and although he lost the 100 metre this time around, he should never forget that he is a born winner, so come back Asafa and shine again.

Those who would dare to interpret a well-mannered personality as being introverted, must logically see the opposite as being extroverted.

In The Gleaner of August 22, I find it pathetic that attorney-at-law O'Niel Brown should read racism into the utterances of Rogge as they relate to Bolt, and I also find it unfortunate that Peter Espeut, who should point and guide young Bolt, has omitted the modus operandi of Bolt on the world stage. However, kudos to Phyllis Parsons who, on the same page, has not failed to call a spade a spade and who referred to Bolt's behaviour as 'bhutto behaviour' and also pointed out Ms Fraser's disrespectful use of the flag.

What Jamaica needs is Bolt and not Bolt and nuts. Clearly some of our Olympians are rough diamonds, which is a poor reflection on the coaches who have failed to make them well rounded. Bolt needs to take a page out of Asafa's book in being gentlemanly on the world stage.

To go back to Asafa, let me end by saying to him, "Asafa, your glory days are etched in gold in our hearts, so pull yourself up by the boot straps and stay as sweet as you are."

Love you and God bless.

I am, etc.,

Elvena@cwjamaica.com