Jamaica Track Team Stamps for the Olympics

I always point to the Jamaican National team's achievements in running as an example of the country's reputation for hard work in pursuit of excellence. Aside from favorable weather, my guess is the team has many disadvantages in training compared to the other teams from much bigger and richer countries, yet Jamaica has many world record holders and is consistently competitive.

The Postal Corporation of Jamaica describes the stamps as follows:

"Featured persons were decided on the basis of on their tremendous exploits. The stamp shows Jamaica’s ‘Golden Girls’ - the Women’s 4 x 100m relay team that competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics final of that event. They are Tayna Lawrence, Veronica Campbell, Aleen Bailey and Sherone Simpson. Of note was the victory by Veronica Campbell in the 200m as she created history by being the first woman from Jamaica or the Caribbean to win an Olympic Gold in a sprint race. On that occasion (Wednesday August 25, 2004) Campbell ran her personal best of 22.05, beating her main rival, American, Allyson Felix, to the finish line.

Asafa Powell was chosen to highlight the incredible feats of speed for which he has received much acclaim. In 2005 he broke the 100m world record with 9.77 seconds, and stamped his mark on the title of ‘Fastest Man on Earth’ by twice repeating that feat. Then in 2007 he again smashed the world record: his time – a stunning 9.74 seconds."

As the Olympic torch made its way around the world, I admired the many protests for human rights in China that gained attention through its travels and subsequent media coverage. I do not support an Olympic boycott, it didn't work against the USSR in 1980 and hurt many athletes' careers. The Olympics are not apolitical, as 1972 proved, but if we want to expose the injustices of China, let the world travel there and take a closer look. Even if the media is suppressed, that will be reported in detail.

Singer Yungchen Lhamo has lead protests in San Francisco on behalf of her native Tibet. The video below shows a demonstration in Berlin set to her music.



If I were an athlete, I would not support a boycott. I think we can make more noise over there and hope that Volkswagon and the other sponsors can make a difference for the people of China.

Lists, and the Earbender Sports Personality of the Year

Everybody breaks out some sort of list or ranking at the end of the year of their favorite movies, records, meals, etc. and I am thinking about doing the same. I want to create a new approach, somehow do things a little differently than just saying "this is my top 10, get into it."

One thing I have always done is throw in a few non recordings, such as books, movies, concerts and other highlights of the year. I'll put up a Top 10 favorite entertainment items of 2007 sometime soon.

With a slightly different spirit than the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, a few years ago I started naming the Earbender Sports Personality of the Year. My nominees for the 2007 honoree include Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (above), New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, Rutgers Women's Basketball and Jamaica's Veronica Campbell. I want summarize and commemorate the year, publicize achievement and also "character."

Previous recipients include Ozzie Guillen (2005) and Drew Brees (2006).

Some folks who would have won a few of them include Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Thurman Munson, Derek Jeter and Mark Messier. Maybe I should start an Earbender sports Gallery of Greats?

Incidentally, in the coming weeks we will be rooting hard for our friend Rich "Goose" Gossage to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Goose may even get me to mention music on this page!

And 2008 will be the year that I finally, officially launch The Rosenfelder Index, which comes out the week before the Super Bowl, whenever that is.

People like lists.