Tuesday, August 5, 2008

FAITH IS A FIVE LETTER WORD

So I am leaving for Beijing tomorrow at 12:55pm. As I type, I am still up in San Jose, CA but my flight leaves from LAX. So guess what? In about 3 hrs or so, I have to drive down to LA....not looking forward to it, but oh well, I'll sleep on the plane.

Now that everything has been completely sorted out, I need to say a couple things. The past three weeks of my life have been TUMULTUOUS to say the least. Now I know I mentioned a couple weeks back that something had come up that was very trying but I did not say what that was, except to say that I hoped everything would work out in my favour. Only as of this morning, did I get final confirmation that it had.

In a nutshell, without getting into too much of the specifics, I was selected by my National Track and Field Federation (BAAA's) as a member of The Bahamas Olympic Team. They selected a total of 18 athletes in my sport. My Olympic Association however (BOA, who for the record have since this debaucle been entirely voted out of office)), entered 17 names and did not submit my name for entry in a timely manner and as a result, the deadline for entries passed.

By the time I became aware of this omission, there was very little time to rectify the situation. Initially the IAAF said that they were sorry, but there was nothing they could do because the deadline had passed. I thought that was it. Of course I was in ruins, gutted, devastated, everything you can imagine, trust me. However, with the guidance, counsel and encouragement from the BAAA's, the new BOA members, from my friends, from my family, and from the Bahamian public and press, I tried to remain positive and keep praying and keep training. To say that this was an enormous challenge given the possible negative outcome would be a huge understatement.

At the end of the day, the athlete's rep for the IAAF, Mr. Frankie Fredericks (he was 2nd to Michael Johnson in that world record 200m in the Atlanta Olympic Games), former many time Olympic medalist from Namibia and now Mr. Who's Who on the IAAF and IOC saw to it that the situation was addressed and that my name was rightfully added back to the startlist for the women's long jump, only as of THIS MORNING!!!!

I have shed enough tears, I have lost a bit of weight and I have been pretty low, but through it all, I somehow managed to have faith that things would work out. I didn't know how or why or when but I kept listening to Mary Mary's song which says in part "nobody told me the road would be easy, but I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me". Those words saw me through everything and now I am leaving tomorrow and I will join my team members who are already there in time to participate in Friday night's Opening Ceremonies which is mandatory for all Bahamian athletes.

To everyone that has stood by me (in particular Mr. Mike Sands), you all know who you are, I say THANK YOU. I am truly in your debt. I didn't talk about this with too many people because it was much too hard but I feel that in the aftermath, it is only fair that I share exactly what has been happening. Had it not worked in my favour, trust me, I had my blog readers in mind....what was I going to say? The truth, yes. How so, I wasn't sure. I just decided to wait until that truth in it's entirety and this saga had come to an end, one way or another.

Anyway, so that's it. Probably the next time you hear from me, I'll be showing you my pictures from The Bird's nest and The Opening Ceremonies where I, Jackie Edwards, will be competing in my fifth and final Olympics. I like the sound of that.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Jackie!!!!

We'll be cheering you on. Make your last OG your best!

Jason

Brianna said...

OMG...I had no idea! Boo to you for not sharing with me.

On a brighter note...I am so excited and proud of you! Five Olympics...that is nothing short of amazing. Please take lots and lots of pictures and please also pass around my picture... :)

Anonymous said...

"Faith is a five letter word." I love that!

Anonymous said...

When the old folks say "He may not come when you want Him, but He's always right on time" they never lied. This is one of those 'in the midnight' hour miracles. Thank God.

I've got my DVR set. Can't wait to finally see you in action! Go out there and do it, Jackie=)

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

gotta keep that weight up folk
and see, told u bout faith
me rib eyes tonight
be safe

Sheena said...

Well done, Jackie. You didn't give up and there you are in Beijing. I'll be watching you when your event comes up and I wish you all the best. You are a credit to your country and especially your family & friends. GO GIRL !!!!!

anonymousnupe said...

So you know you owe Him right? (Not that you didn't already owe Him everything anyway, but even moreso now.)

Anonymous said...

great blog!

Unknown said...

With all the 'fakery' taking place, and the world going to the 'birds' Im sure noticing many dissidents and Falun Gong along the way gets dampened by the ego, and the overall apathy.

However, with all that is going on back home, these things fall by the wayside as well. Dr. King, as well as many of the founding fathers would be appalled by what is taking place in the US, and what the US has taken to places all over the Earth is the name of "Dreams" and freedom of yesteryear that so many truly died for.

Just today the NSA announced that it found the need to start killing bloggers and reporters that are covering the real.

We need people of public attention to grow spines and start informing themselves, and speaking to power.

We need people that are publicly draping themselves in a flag that has had much blood shed in its behalf to start either release such mentalities, or to truly understand what symbol it is that is carried in the name of the Unknown Soldiers, brothers, fathers, mothers, and children of the ones fallen for lies, decent, and HIGH TREASON!

Time is short my Sovereign Sister of The Land. The true test still lies ahead, but is unveiling itself every forward as time progresses.

WE MUST ACT NOW!!!

Or our country. Our forefathers and Mothers, will have sacrificed all that they did in vain, and true tyranny and oppression the World over will rise and defeat any " Dream " that anyone every thought of having.

Just the very thought of such things will be a crime.

Understand. Discern. Project yourself for the true cause that is now facing us all.

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sahibinden said...

"Faith is a five letter word." I love that!

ukash said...

OMG...I had no idea! Boo to you for not sharing with me.