Small islands, giant strides

In the glorious arena of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Eastern Caribbean nations have declared emphatically that size is no barrier to greatness. From the Helen of the West to the Nature Isle to the Spice Isle, these tiny islands have produced athletes who stand tall on the world stage, competing shoulder to shoulder with sporting giants from nations hundreds of times our size.

Saint Lucia, with a population barely reaching 180 000, has etched its name in Olympic history. Julien Alfred’s gold medal in a scintillating women’s 100-metre sprint is not just a personal triumph but a national milestone – the island’s first Olympic medal. She added further glory with a sterling silver medal performance in the 200 metres on Tuesday, writing her name – and her nation’s – on international athletic history’s page.

This deeply resonant achievement is a reminder of Saint Lucia’s ability to nurture world-class talent, as evidenced by its two Nobel laureates in literature and economics. From the peaks of the Pitons to the pinnacle of Olympic glory, Lucians continue to show the world that greatness knows no bounds.

Even more remarkable is Dominica, home to just over 70 000 souls, which saw its flag raised high thanks to Thea LaFond’s medal-winning performance in the triple jump. The “Nature Isle” has proven that its beauty extends beyond lush landscapes to a people’s indomitable spirit. LaFond’s leap is a testament to the heights Dominica can reach when given the chance to shine.

Grenada, with its population of about 110 000, continued its remarkable athletics legacy bequeathed by Alleyne Francique in the early 2000s. In the Decathlon, Lindo Víctor copped a bronze medal with a total score of 8711 points. He has followed in the footsteps of the great double-medal Olympian Kiran James, who has himself blazed a trail in the semifinal of the 400 metres and we expect him to again be in medal contention come Wednesday’s final.

And now to Barbados, as our hearts swell with pride for Sada Williams, whose stellar performances have not only brought glory but have also inspired a new generation of athletes. Williams’ rise is a clarion call for increased investment in our sporting infrastructure and talent development programmes. But for now, all Bajan eyes will be glued to lane 4 of semifinal 3 in the women’s 400 metres on Wednesday afternoon.

What makes these achievements truly remarkable is the scale of our success compared to the rich, industrialized North. Consider that the United States, with a population of over 330 million, or Great Britain, with nearly 70 million souls, or Canada and its 39 million, must scour talent pools thousands of times larger than ours to find their champions. Yet, here we are, our tiny islands producing world-beaters. And with the help of our governments, private sector, communities, schools and charities, more must surely follow and better must come.

These remarkable Olympic moments are no fluke. They are the fulfilment of Caribbean dreams, the profitable returns on investments in the resilient, the resourceful, and the relentlessly hungry. They are not footnotes in history, nor will asterisks attend their names. These young women and men stand on the shoulders of Wedderburn and Thompson of Barbados, Francique of Grenada, Spencer of Saint Lucia and countless other unnamed heroes and heroines with unsung sacrifices great and small.

It is that same spirit that has given the world cultural icons, scientific innovators and giants of literature and thought. The world needs the Caribbean. But the Caribbean needs these avatars of excellence now more than ever before.

Yet, as we celebrate Olympic triumphs, we must also recognise these as a call to action. Our governments, businesses, and communities must rally to provide the support our athletes need to continue competing at the highest levels. Better facilities, world-class coaching, and robust financial support are not luxuries but necessities if we are to build on this success. Too many of our athletes depend on overseas coaching and scholarship to make the cut at regional, world and Olympic levels.

The Eastern Caribbean in Paris is so much more than a clutch of medals, precious as they are. These athletes are making a powerful statement to the world on our behalf.  To borrow from Shakespeare, ‘Though we are but little we are fierce’. We have risen and thrived from our past with determination, support, and an unbreakable will; we can achieve greatness on any stage.

We are more than picture-postcard tourist destinations. We have been a crucible of world-class talent, not since last week but for generations. From the neighbourhood pasture to the Olympic podium, the Eastern Caribbean continues to punch far above its weight, proving that in the realm of human achievement, it’s not the size of the nation but the size of the dream in the athlete that matters. Let us now work to create the will that can make our way to greater heights of excellence.