The youngsters in our midst could do themselves a tremendous favour by emulating gold-medal winner Cydonie Mothersill.
In case you’ve been on another planet for the past few weeks, Cydonie won the 200 metres portion of the Commonweath Games in Delhi last month.
She did herself and her home country Cayman proud.
After years of hard work and determination, the 32-year-old speedster bested her world championship bronze of 2001.
There are 71 countries at the games representing around 1.9 billion people. What she accomplished was no small fete.
If you read the article on the front page of today’s Observer on Sunday you’ll find out why Cydonie is so grounded – she has a strong faith in God and is committed to honing the talent He gave her.
She has earned the right to be put on a pedestal in the Cayman Islands.
It is our hope that youngsters throughout our country and the region look to Cydonie as a role model – not a hero; we don’t think she would want that – but as a person to look up to and gain inspiration from.
She has some excellent character points to emulate.
For starters, she has a support group that helps her to stay grounded. It’s important for young people to have such support from friends, family and fellow believers.
And she attends church regularly, not just on high holy days of Christmas and Easter. Young people need to have a higher power to believe in to help them focus on and realise their goals. Each of us has been given gifts and it is up to us while in this earthly realm to use those gifts to the best of our potential. Cydonie certainly fits the bill.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more of our youngsters decided to be like Cydonie, got out of the house and became athletically active. It is possible that they, too, could realise the dream of bringing home gold to the Cayman Islands.
We are certain that Cydonie will continue to shine.
She’s still got the world championships to compete in next year and the London Olympics aren’t too far away – in 2012.
Cydonie, you have the support of your family, friends and indeed the entire country behind you.
We are proud of you and your achievements.
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