The Pride of the People

Yesterday was a joyous day in Grenada as one of its own represented the country proudly on the international scale. Eighteen year old Kirani James, from the small fishing village of Gouyave, won the IAAF World Championship in the 400m, bringing the first ever gold medal home to Grenada. Pride.

To truly understand the magnitude of this accomplishment for our small island of just 100,000 people, you first have to step foot into school play yards, village community centers, road side rum shops and island wide track meets. If kids aren't competing in cricket or football, they are running track races. Barefoot, running is in the countries blood, bringing crowds of people together around April to watch school compete against one another, often taking all day to complete. When children reach secondary school, they train daily for the day of competition that makes their school stand out amongst the rest. Pride.

Young Kirani was a favorite for years through primary and secondary school competitions. Friends, supporters and coaches knew he was destined for fame. That fame was given a chance when he signed with the University of Alabama, giving him the chance to not only compete in track on the national level, but also get an American education. Pride.

As of lately, news outlets and sports magazines have started comparing Kirani to Usain Bolt. Humbly so, Kirani simply replies, “Usain is special in his own way, but I just want to be Kirani James from Grenada.” He doesn't want compared, he just wants to make his country proud. “But whatever happens, I am just happy to be representing my country and putting Grenada on the map. That’s the most important thing.” Pride.

The country stood still for the less than one minute it took him to round the track, pass the American and claim victory for this small nation of loyal fans. At small rum shops, dozens gathered around the small 13" tv set in the corner, screaming his name and waving flags. As soon as victory was Grenada's, fans and supporters flooded the streets of Gouyave chanting his name, waving Grenadian flags, some wiping tears away. Pride.

No one can know the impact a single gold medal can have on a nation of proud people. A nation that wants the world to know its here, its thriving, and its proud of its own. Pride.

Congrats Kirani James, I wish you could be here to see the pride you are bringing to the faces of your countrymen. Grenada to d world!!!!!