Asafa or Bolt? Entertainers weigh in

As the two fastest men in history, Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, will compete in the premiere track event of the Olympics, the 100 metre race.

The world sits on the edge of its seat, waiting to see who will take home the gold and Jamaicans, including those in entertainment, will watch - like the rest of us - and support them as they go for gold.

While the track and field events are what most Jamaicans will have their eyes on during the Olympics, it is anyone's guess as to which of the two will take the gold medal in the finals on Saturday.

Bolt set the new world record of 9.72 seconds for the 100 metre on May 31 in New York. He is also the world leader in the 200 metres with a time of 19.67 seconds. However on July 22 in Stockholm, Sweden at the DN Galan meet, Bolt was beaten by the former world record holder, Asafa Powell who had the previous record of 9.74 seconds.

For the women's finals, even though Veronica Campbell-Brown will not be qualifying for the 100 metre race, Jamaicans Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart and Shelly-Ann Fraser are competing in that race.

Campbell-Brown will go up against arch rival, Allyson Felix of the United States in the 200 metre race. Felix is the world champion with a time of 21.81 seconds and Campbell-Brown is the Olympic champion at 22.05 seconds.

Singjay Mavado, who recorded the song, On The Go, in tribute of the Jamaican athletes, says that he plans to watch the Olympics, especially the 100 metre race because of sprinter Asafa Powell.

"Asafa a mi runner, Usain a mi runner to, a Jamaican dem, suh a our runner dem, suh big up di whole a di yout dem whe a represent fi Jamaica," Mavado said.

Selector Jigsy, who was in Cayman when the STAR spoke with him, has been keeping track of the competitions at the Olympics. While he wishes for a Jamaican to come out on top, he too thinks Asafa will win.

"Mi nuh tink Usain a go beat Asafa. Asafa a go give him full 150 per cent. Yuh dun know a Veronica Campbell all di way and mi a go hype up Frater too so dat Jamaica can get one, two and three," Jigsy said.

However, not everyone is as enthused about the Olympics. Artiste Busy Signal admitted that he has not been following the Games and has taken no sides in the Asafa vs Bolt debate.

"We just waan big up Asafa and Bolt. Dem represent Jamaica, mi nuh tek nuh side. Thank God for those yutes and dem mus just bring home di whole of di ting dem. A Jamaica di sumting fi stay," he said.

STAR of the month Elephant Man offers a more involved perspective. The deejay is very opinionated when it comes to the Beijing Olympics, talking about the frequent blood tests that have been done on the Jamaican athletes.

Elephant Man told The STAR, "Mi nuh like how dem a draw out the whole a di runner dem blood. By the time dem fi run dem ago drop down. Two bottle! Weh dem ago run pon den?"

He continued, "It's one of the best times for Jamaicans to see the Olympics and we are one of the favourites: running, sprinting, a we a di favourite."

"Dem will put stone inna di road fi wi drop but wi ago run ova it. Right now it tight. Mi money deh pon di two a dem: Bolt and Asafa. But mi a put a extra energy pon Bolt. Mi know him from him a run a primary school and a mi fren like dat so mi just a bring him and give him mi support," Elephant Man said.

Radio personality Miss Kitty is enjoying the Olympics. She says she likes to watch gymnastics and water sports. But where the runners are concerned she says, "I'm for Asafa with a little Bolt, but I'm really rooting for both of them. In my heart I want both to win whether its gold or silver. That will be with them for life, they will always be an Olympian and the world record can always be broken another time."

As for the female competitors she says, "I'm really sorry Veronica won't be running the 100 metre. She's my favourite athlete, I love her humility and obvious hard work, I hope she comes home with something."