DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
OLYMPIC DRAMA



VIDEO: SKIP TO 04:09

The Olympic drama has begun.

11.068 seconds.
That’s the time it took to make history.

Apparently, in no other U.S. Olympic Track & Field trials since the modern Summer Games kicked off in 1896, has there ever been a tie.

But that’s what happened last Saturday.

Two training partners, Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix, crossed the finish line at the same time for the final, 3rd place, spot on the Olympic team in the 100 meter race.

I saw the race, and it was tight.

The race jumped off with a false start.
They reset, and started again.
11.068 seconds later, there was a tie for 3rd.

photo source

The clock showed both finishing at same time, but 22-year old Jeneba was announced as the winner, given a US flag, and took a victory lap around the stadium. If I remember her interview correctly, I think she thanked God and spoke well of Allyson, whom she trains with under coach Bobby Kersee, husband of Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Then, the real drama started.

The USATF overturned its initial decision, which was in Jeneba’s favor, after looking at photo-finish images showing both torsos crossed the line at exactly the same time. Legs and arms don’t matter. That’s why athletes lean chest-forward. It’s the torso that counts.

Drama continued when it was announced that the USATF did not have any rules in place for a tie-breaker, and the winner would be decided by coin toss, voluntary withdrawal or run off. What??!!!

The ladies had another race to compete in – the 200 meter, which Allyson has already won 2 Olympic silver medals and 3 world championships. Allyson, 26, also won Olympic gold on the 4×100 relay team in 2008. It was no surprise that she won the 200 on Saturday the 30th. Jeneba placed 5th.

Both ladies, their coach, agents and reps met to figure out what to do about the 100, and they decided on a run off.

First time in Olympic trial history.
It was set for Monday night, July 3rd. 8 PM PT.

I purposefully avoided the internet and nightly news so that I wouldn’t hear the winner prematurely from the East Coast broadcast.

8 o’clock sharp, I ran to the TV, turned to NBC and took my seat to witness history in the making. Instead I got, “No run off.”

No run off.
What??!!!

Jeneba conceded.
She said her head wasn’t in it.

In a previous interview, Jeneba confessed that she felt robbed. She had been announced the winner, then told to re-run for the spot. She felt she had rightfully won the race. Why should she have to run again? In her interview Monday night, she seemed very gracious. She mentioned praying about her decision and having a peace from God. So, she let it go.

Allyson issued a statement saying she was deeply disappointed because she wanted to earn the victory instead of concession. But she had seemed willing to concede early on after she won the 200 meters and would be going to the Olympics anyway.

As a matter of fact, both girls would be going to London on the relay team, so all this hoopla over the 100 meters was an emotional roller coaster and a hot mess. I think the USATF should’ve had tie-breaker rules in place long before this debacle. Every other sport seems to have it. I know gymnastics does. I believe swimming did too.

As confusing as the whole situation was, what impressed me the most was how the two friends protected one another. Having trained together and been described more like sisters, they did not throw each other under the bus for selfish gain.

I am reminded of Jesus’ words to His disciples as His time on earth is winding down.
JOHN 15:13 says:
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Laying down one’s life

To train for a race for 4 years – blood, sweat, tears – and then concede a victory that you feel you earned to your training partner has to feel like laying down your life.

We may not ever understand it, but Jeneba did what she felt she had to do: lay it down.

Could you do it?
Would you do it?

Reports say there were tears on both sides. This had to be an excruciating decision for Jeneba, and a very difficult situation for Allyson. And they both now, still have to run a relay together. Whew!

Both are women of faith and have publicly talked about their faith.

Allyson, whose father is an ordained minister and professor of New Testament at Master’s Seminary, is quoted as saying, “My faith is the reason I run – it calms my heart and makes everything feel like a lift. My speed is definitely a gift from Him, and I run for His glory. Whatever I do, He allows me to do it.”

Let’s pray for God’s glory as the races continue.
And pray for healing for both ladies.
This one’s tough.
Naima

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