THE EDITOR, Sir:

AS MUCH as I am delighted to learn of the fully merited Order of Jamaica being bestowed on Usain Bolt, I would be happier if his coach, Glen Mills, were similarly recognised by the Government.

That Usain has fulfilled the potential he showed as a youngster - 45.35 seconds for the 400 metres at age 16 and the only junior athlete in the world ever to run sub-20 seconds for the 200 metres, 19.93 seconds at age 17 - is largely due to the guidance he has received from Mills in the last five years.

Improvements have been made in every aspect of Usain's running - his start, his bend running, more efficient use of his stride and his strength. Moreover, Usain has remained injury free for several years - quite remarkable for an athlete at his level. These improvements have enabled Usain to defy conventional wisdom that an athlete of his height would not have the explosiveness required for the 100 metres. No longer will an athlete of 6ft 4ins or more be kept away from the 100 metres and told by his coach to concentrate on the 400 metres. This is an historic and seminal achievement in the world of athletics and due recognition must be given to Mills.

In Jamaica, we have had the tendency to undervalue teachers; to acknowledge the product, but not the producer. A good coach is a good teacher with the ability to motivate his charge. But it is not only Mills who has that ability. Stephen Francis should also receive the same award as Usain. If credit for starting an adult athletic programme in Jamaica is due to Dennis Johnson and to CAST/UTech, then kudos must go to Francis for taking the next step in building on that foundation by establishing an organised and permanent institutionalised programme for senior athletes.

Historic contribution

Like Mills, Francis operates at the very highest international level in his field. He is one of the top two sprint coaches in the world, and is undoubtedly the best all-round track and field coach, as witness his gold and silver medallists at the Olympics and World Championships in three different disciplines - 100 metres, 100 metres hurdles and the high jump. And again, like Mills, his contribution is historic in that largely through his efforts Jamaica has quickly developed a viable domestic senior programme that is an adequate alternative to, or replacement of training in the USA.

At both the Beijing Olympics and Berlin World Championships, locally trained athletes accounted for about 70 per cent of the medals won by Jamaica. In Beijing, had Francis' MVP Club participated as a country, it would have placed sixth in the medal tables, and on the same basis in Berlin, it would have been fifth.

Don't forget the teachers

The social significance of the contribution of Mills and Francis should not escape us. By their professionalism and dedication to high standards, they have illustrated for us the value of self-reliance and convinced us of the truth of National Hero Marcus Garvey's saying that we can "accomplish what we will".

I will be the recipient of the same award being given to Usain on October 19. But, without wishing to appear to be ungracious, so highly do I rate the contribution of Messrs Mills and Francis to Jamaica's national development, I would readily surrender my award to them. My message is: Don't forget the teachers.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK ROBINSON

President

International Criminal Tribunal

for the former Yugoslavia