Athens Marching Orders Irk Former Cayman Olympian
Former Cayman Olympian cyclist Craig Merren (right)
disagrees with his friend the Minister of Sports, Dr
the Hon Frank McField (left), on the ‘march or go home’
orders issued by the Cayman Islands Olympic
Committee to Cayman’s 2004 Athens Games’
participants. The two are shown here at the recent
send-off party for the Olympians.
Friday, August 13, 2004
A former Cayman Islands Olympian criticised the Cayman Islands Olympic
Committee’s (CIOC) decision and its support by the Minister of Sports to force
the country’s swimmers to attend the opening ceremony in Athens on Friday
evening 13 August.
Former three-time Olympic cyclist and President of the Cayman Islands Cycling
Association Craig Merren disagrees with the ‘march or go home’ edict. “I am very
surprised by what the Minister said about the Committee being the sports.
“The Olympics are all about the athletes and their dedication to the sports.
Without the athletes the committee would not have the job. The athletes go there
to represent their country by competing and not as a delegation.
Minister of Sports, Dr the Hon Frank McField was quoted in Wednesday 10
August edition of Cayman Net News saying: “These kids are here as a result of
the Olympic Committee; they didn’t get there by themselves. The committee should
have the right to make a decision.”
“The best Olympic ceremony is actually the Closing Ceremony,” said Mr Merren.
“That is after you have finished competing, when you celebrate your taking part
and all the effort you have made.”
“Yes it is good to be at the opening, but not if it damages your chances the
next day.”
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the 100 km time trial team was allowed to
return early from the Opening Ceremony to the Olympic village as they were
competing the next morning.
Mr Merren was a member of that team. “I saw other athletes returning between
11:30 pm and 1 am. You cannot compete properly in the morning after being up
that late.
“People should ask themselves whether they would be able to turn up at the
office after partying everyday. Athletes have to be at the peak of their
condition.”
Mr Merren’s sister, Merilyn Phillips, was the first female to represent the
Cayman Islands in the Olympics, competing in the 80-km road race at the 1984 Los
Angeles Games.
She was to race at 9 am the day after the Opening Ceremony and was ordered
not to take part in the ceremony, which disappointed her.
“I wanted to be a part of the Opening Ceremony and I think it ruined my
Olympic spirit, not being able to take part,” she said. “I was not a realistic
medal contender though,” she added.
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