MY MENTOR JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN REPORTS FROM BEIJING

For those of youse who do not know as yet I credit my writing skills to the training of my mentor Jean Lowrie-Chin.

Jean was in Beijing covering the 2008 Summer Olympics and filed reports on her blog " Lowrie -Chin Post".

Please visit her website for updates on events and her insightful reporting in Beijing including celebratory parties and the such to commemorate Jamaica's success in this Olympiad.

IN HER REPORT JEAN REPORTED ON A SPECIAL SURPRISE AWAITING USAIN ON HIS RETURN TO JAMAICA - BUT YOU HAVE TO VISIT HER WEBSITE TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS!!!!!

After the Olympics Jean will be filing her insights on events that affect daily Jamaican life.

Please feel free to pass on her blog site info to those on your email list. Below are a few pictures from her blog:

Jean (looking "three-snaps-fantastic!" poses with American decathlon gold medalist Brian Clay.

Jean (center in white with black/gold/green headband) poses with members of the Jamaican contingent on hand to support the Jamaican athletes in Beijing.

Jean or her hubbie Hubie got a picture of Usain celebrating at the Puma party held at CJW Club in Beijing on 8/23/08.

NBC's BOB COSTAS DEMONSTRATES POOR SPORTSMANSHIP

Tonight, while plodding along on the treadmill at my gym and watching the lead into tonight's NBC coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics I was insulted at comments (alleged) sportscaster Bob Costas made regarding Usain Bolts win of the 100m race.

Below is a copy of an email sent to NBC headquarters:

TO: THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION (NBC)

Sirs,

I am appalled at the comments Mr. Costas made during the opening segment of tonight's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics (7 pm CDT 8/18/08). His remarks regarding Usain Bolt's actions upon winning the 100m race were un-called for, and demonstrates his ignorance and poor sportsmanship. His consistent use of the word 'freak' to describe Mr. Bolt's performance WAS in fact (contrary to his attempt to dismiss) seen as derogatory, and a poorly disguised jab at a Jamaican sportsman during his best performance.

Mr. Bolt was celebrating in his cultural way his joy on winning a gold medal for his country. His actions are akin to those seen on a daily basis by his compatriots in Jamaica who gesticulate in similar fashion on personal achievements. More importantly what Mr. Bolt did in no way impeded the results of the other runners, and was not a distraction nor obstacle to the other athletes participating. Neither was it outside of known sports decorum.

Mr. Costas is demonstrating his disappointment and poor sportsmanship that an "all-important-American" did NOT win the coveted spot of athletics.

Just to clarify: Jamaica is number one in the world per capita with regards to sprinting; please advise Mr. Costas to familiarize himself with the above fact and move on.

Any further disparaging remarks by Mr. Costas will be seen as an attack on the character and sportsmanship of the Jamaican people. Also, he seems to be attempting the start of a campaign to smear a victory treasured by Jamaicans - and can be interpreted as borderline bigotry.

I trust you shall govern yourselves accordingly.

I am,

(name and address)

P.S. Pardon my lack of use of the phrases 'Yah, mon!" and "No problem mon!!"; contrary to popular ignorance - Jamaicans do not stereotypically speak in this manner.