Jamaican abroad misses watching Olympics back home

"Watching the Olympics yah suh nuh nice at all," were the sentiments of Jamaica-born, American citizen Latoya Webster, who has always been an avid fan of the Summer Olympics Games.

Like many Jamaicans, Webster, who has been living in America for eight years, was geared up and ready to witness the island's athletes dominate at their respective sporting events, especially track and field. She and some of her other Jamaican co-workers even set aside their pot covers to celebrate the wins as they came. But as the Games unfolded and some athletes pulled out of their events, she was left disheartened.

"A years mi a watch Olympics and this a di worst Olympics mi ever see," Webster said.

"Mi nuh know wah gwan, but sumpn nuh right over deh suh. Mi proud a mi athletes them still enuh, and mi just wait fi dem come back home and talk wah really happen over there," Webster added. Jamaica ended the Paris Olympics with six medals, one gold, three silver and two bronze. The nation did not do as well as some had predicted or expected due to a variety of factors including athletes withdrawing from events due to niggling injuries.

Webster also told THE STAR that although she and her family were excited for the Olympics, celebrating it away from home pales in comparison to watching it here.

"Where I'm at, not everybody knows about Olympics. I don't see much interest in the Olympics more than one and two people who are like, '[American sprinter] Sha'Carri [Richardson] is why I watch the Olympics.' Some honestly don't even care," Webster explained. She said that while living in Jamaica, she was exposed to a different kind of team spirit.

"All if them nuh watch nothing else, once track start, everybody a watch Olympics inna Jamaica. So here, I get nothing close to that experience where people are excited and there's a big screen here and a big screen there," said Webster.

While there may not always be big screens like in the middle of Half-Way Tree, she noted that local bars will make sure that the big screens are on, and the patrons are watching, feeling the vibe and excitement.

"Even when it's football time, the bars would have games night and those things. They don't do that here. Most of the excitement you see here when it comes to Olympics is from the Jamaicans," said Webster, who grew up in an inner-city community. She said that although she misses how sporting events are celebrated here, nothing will stop her from enjoying the Olympics in the US.

"Even though it's not what I'm used to, in my household we gather around and watch it together. But this Olympics has been so disappointing, so the excitement and adrenaline that would come when you see race a run and race a win, it nuh deh there!" Webster lamented.

"Even at work back in Jamaica, when [Jamaicans] win, everybody woulda joyous and a celebrate. None a that nuh happen here. Even if it's an American win, no excitement. The only persons you hear talking about the races are the Jamaicans," Webster added.