Editorial for 08 March: A good return on investment

We’re excited. Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, is
scheduled to come to the Cayman Islands in May.

Mr. Bolt is expected to compete, along with Beijing Olympic
silver medallist Kerron Stewart, Olympic record-holder Melanie Walker, London
Olympic bronze medallist Hansle Parchment and London Olympic relay gold
medallist Chris Brown, in the second annual Cayman Invitational track and field
meet – an event organised by our very own Commonwealth Games gold-medal
sprinter Cydonie Mothersill.

It’s not just because of the famous Jamaican sprinter’s
scheduled appearance, but Mr. Bolt’s arrival and competing on these shores will
help accentuate a message that the Cayman Invitational is fast becoming an
important event on the yearly athletics calendar.

Much has been made over the past few years, during times of
economic austerity, about how much the Cayman Islands government has spent on
various items; whether it be for “nation-building” or trips to Sri Lanka and
Doha, Qatar, or for the Elite Athletes programme. Some of these programmes and
expenditures have found many critics among the public.

However, in this case, we must really say that the
government’s investment in Cydonie Mothersill over the years as part of the
Elite Athletes programme has paid off handsomely both on and off the track.

Beyond her considerable abilities and achievements as a
sprinter, Cydonie – we believe – embodies the true spirit and purpose of the
Elite Athletes venture. That is, she is a representative of the Cayman Islands,
accepting all the responsibility that entails and making her country a good
return on its investment. In this case, she has started an event that could
mean big-time exposure for Cayman for many years to come and has convinced a
number of her athletics colleagues to participate.

The value of this event to the Cayman Islands is well worth
the $75,000 Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said government has contributed
to
sponsor it.

So, nice going, Cydonie. We’ve always been proud of you and
in this case you’re an important example of what the government’s Elite
Athletes programme can truly achieve.