The NEWS (Monrovia)
17 July 2008
editorial
Monrovia — Liberia is once more expected to participate in an international competition - the Olympics games in Beijing, China, in August.
So far, the Liberian Olympics Committee has disclosed that at least three Liberian athletes, based in the United States, have qualified to represent Liberia at the games.
The three athletes were said to have qualified within the Olympics standard time, meaning that they run 100 meters in less than 10 seconds.
One of the Liberian athletes, Kia Davies is in the "A" category of sprinters and she is a college Gold Medalist.
At the Beijing Olympics, Davies will compete in the women's 200-meter hurdle for Liberia, while Siray Williams and Jangy Addy will compete in the men's 400-meter hurdle.
According to the Liberian Olympics Committee, the prospect for Liberia, from the standpoint of competitiveness, is bright.
Unlike previous outings, Liberia would for the first time in its history feature qualified Olympians at the Beijing games.
With such impressive profile, it is expected that the government would lead the nation in boosting the athletes' enthusiasm and build up their morale by adequately facilitating their preparation and participation.
But with just three weeks left for the games, it is disheartening to note that the government is yet to practicalize its support for the country's preparations.
Considering the fact that the athletes would be the main torch-bearers of the country, their preparation through government support is very crucial.
And if Liberians should expect their athletes to be competitive as their profiles suggest, then, love for country should not be the only motivating factor by which they should be expected to perform competitively.
The athletes would have to be airlifted to Beijing ahead of time and not "last-minute-to-time"; their per diem would also have to be timely available and handsome.
Liberia must seize upon the opportunity of improving its Olympics record from one of the least competitive nations to a competitive nation.
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