The coming of age of a great athlete, in the World Championship year
Approximately one month after the Jamaican National Junior and Senior Trials, Danielle Williams has posted a fluent and electrifying 12.32 in the 100m hurdles at the London Diamond League to become the world-leader and Jamaica’s national record holder. In her heat, Williams lowered her previous personal best from 12.48, to 12.41, and then went on to beat a quality field that included America’s Nia Ali, the 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist by some distance.
Motivated by Misfortune
It is clear that Danielle, the 2015 World Champion has been buoyed by the misfortune at the Jamaica National Junior and Senior Trials and is determined to place herself on the Jamaica team to Qatar. It is crystal clear that Danielle Williams is motivated by adversity and as such is bringing her “A” game to these Diamond League meets as a direct consequence. But the question still begs, what will now be the JAAA’s response in light of Williams’ phenomenal performances? Will the JAAA continue to deny Williams a spot to Qatar, when she is Jamaica’s best ever female sprint hurdler? Will the JAAA continue to be pompous and insensitive cutting its nose to spite its face? Just how will the JAAA address this very controversial and important matter?
Faulty Start and not False Start
From the very outset, it was clear that Williams was thrown off by the battery of explosions that occurred in the Grand Stands, directly in front of the starter and adjacent to the athletes in their blocks. And this occurrence should have been factored in the officials’ final decision and declared a faulty start and not a false start. Had the officials made the right call then, that problem would have been fixed, right there; and there would not now be the need to be having any lagger-heads on this issue. But arrogance took them over, and the officials were more determined to demonstrate that they were sticklers for the rules instead of applying common sense where it was desperately needed.
The London Diamond League
At the London Diamond League meet held on July 20-21, Williams rewrote the Jamaican national record in the women’s 100m hurdles and made the boldest statement ever to the JAAA. And it is now for the JAAA to use wisdom and reply sensibly and expeditiously. Indeed, Jamaica does not need only a team to the World Championship, it needs its best team to increase its medal prospects. And one is not saying that rules are not important. Indeed, they are! All must play by the rules to ensure fairness and transparency. However, rules exist with a framework or context. And such framework or context cannot be discounted and be overlooked or neglected. To do so, would not only be unfair, it would also be myopic and nonsensical.
JAAA needs to act
At this precise moment, the issue concerning Danielle Williams needs urgent attention and expeditious resolution by the JAAA. This issue can no longer be ignored. Williams can no longer be frowned on. Quite frankly, Williams should not need to rely on the Diamond League to qualify as a “wild card” for the Qatar World Championship. The fact is, on sheer time she has no equal globally nor locally. She is way ahead of her compatriots and this more than any other yardstick should be used as the main criterion for her qualification.
Time is running out and Williams is rounding into superb shape getting much better and one can only hope that, the “ants” woman who is now a “giant” should not only be considered but will be given the green light to compete in Doha, Qatar. Let’s all hope that good sense will prevail because if Williams is denied a place on the Jamaica team to Qatar, it would be a grave travesty of justice!
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah), Sports Analyst & Writer
Photo of Danielle Williams and her twin sister
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