Mothersill ‘dejected’ over failure to run in Olympics
(CNS): Commonwealth gold medal winner and Cayman’s most successful sprinter has said that she is both “disappointed and frustrated” over the injury that prevented her from competing in the women’s 200-metre heats at the London Olympics this week. Cydonie Mothersill, who is 34 years old and suffering from an ongoing tendon injury said that she was deeply saddened by her inability to perform in what was very likely her last appearance at an Olympic games. While battling the persistent problem in her left foot, she nevertheless told interviewers she had blocked it from her mind and would compete. However, in the end she was absent from the start-up.
Mothersill had been preparing to compete on Monday, 6 August, but after consultations with her coaches and the team physiotherapist, who conceded she would do more harm if she competed, she elected to withdraw, ending her Olympic career.
“This was my fifth, and very likely last, Olympics," Mothersill said. “I came to London to compete and to represent my country and was very disappointed that I was unable to line up. I did everything possible to give myself a chance but it was not to be.”
According to a press release issued on Thursday, Mothersill was said to be deeply dejected but had accepted the move had been necessary.
“I wish it could have been otherwise, as I know the country was looking forward to seeing me compete and I was crushed that I could not deliver. However, I want to extend my gratitude and thanks to my family, friends, the CIOC, the CIAA, the Cayman Islands Government, sponsors, the many people who prayed and the countless supporters in the Cayman Islands. Sadly, while it was a difficult decision, I know that it was the right one,” she added.
Donald McLean, President of the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee, expressed his own disappointment but said the decision had been “in the interests of the athlete's long-term health”.
Mothersill formed part of one of the best teams that Cayman had ever sent to the Olympic Games but was not the only one who did not compete. Fellow sprinter Kemar Hyman, who qualified for the semi-finals in the men’s 100 metres, also said he was facing an injury on the afternoon he was set to line up alongside the fastest men in the world.
Shaune Fraser was scheduled to compete in the 100m butterfly but he too pulled out of the race after reaching the semi-finals of the 200m freestyle. Meanwhile, his brother Brett competed in three races.
Ronald Forbes, who was also coming off a season plagued with injury, competed in his heats for the 110m hurdles. Forbes said that despite his troubles, nothing was going to stop him from running.
“I don’t care if my leg is dropping off, I’m going out there to represent. I did not work this hard to see beside my name ‘did not start’.” he said after his heat.
Category: Sports
If we are to encourage future Caymanian sports heroes (or even a healthier public) Mark Scotland should cut the chains on the Truman Bodden Sports Complex and let the public run and train on the track. The public needs to have safe and consistent access to these government facilities.
Further: we should be adding a 3m springboard and 10m platform diving facility. Fairly inexpensive to build and no reason why diving teams couldn't practice in Cayman all year round.
I also find the high number of negative votes on the comments in support of Cydonie quite puzzling.
Never before in my years have I ever encountered a Caymanian to hold negative views about that young lady.
Unfortunately, this may be yet another small but major sign of howthings are changing in our "community".
One of the things that is changing is that this country does not have the money to keep throwing at athletes year after year after year. Cydonie needs to come home now and get a job coaching track and earn her way like the rest of us. I think she would do a fabulous job at this with all her experience, work ethic and good attitude. It would be better to support a new and upcoming athlete and hopefully cydonie would agree.
If you met the standard to compete in the Olympics would you not want to be afforded the opportunity?
Furthermore, consider the USA, UK, Spain, Greece etc. – technically, we have more money than any of those nations yet they, and others, sent thousands of athletes to the games and the majority will be returning home empty-handed.
Lastly, you are one pessimistic piece of work … as are your staunch supporters.
Anyway, it is clear to see that there are deeper issues underlying your perspective.
I'm done.
(Thumbs away …)
No money is being thrown at Cydonie that I can assure you. Had she ran and made it the next round, you wouldn’t be commenting. “Earn her way like the rest of us” SMH! Get your facts right please. Cydonie has have earned everything she has gotten, nothing was given.
The thumbs down on this article on Cydonnie is a perfect example of what is a part of our current undoing.
We have become so jaded that we spurt negative energy at everything which is not what we want to see.
To qualify as an Olynpic athlete is about serious hard work, dedication to your craft and a mental toughness which few of us in ordinary life ever achieve.
Other nations faced a DNS for their athletes. I wonder if this passive name and shame approach is what they did? Hardly likely.
In our negative comments out here we are sending a message to all our Elite Athletes, beyond that to allour young people that we have no tolerance for anything other than a perfect score.
So our message is – go for it at any cost. Short term gain is only what matters to us, Forget about the future.
Sad times ahead with this pervasive point of view.
Re: "We have become so jaded that we spurt negative energy at everything which is not what we want to see."
The main problem is that we no longer know who "we" are.
It is very likely that we are making the grave mistake of addressing ourselves as if we are the same "we" of yesteryear but the truth could be that we are not … if you get what I mean.
Having known Cydonie from her earliest days zipping around the track back in school – and being strategically placed at the finish line to 'catch' her inevitable fall due to fatigue because, much to our coach's frustration (lol), she simply refused to eat properly – I can confidently believe in her statement.
Cydonie is a focused, dedicated, humble and professional athlete, and only those who do not know her could ever believe that she would play any kind of 'games' – especially at this crucial point in her career.
She is a wonderfully talented athlete and always a delight to be around. Cydonie is the kind of individual that commands respect both off and on the track and she rightly received it from those around her.
I too was very disappointed when I realized that she was not competing, however, I was also immediately certain that it was due to issues beyond her control.
I wish you well with your injury that has been troubling you for some time now and I hope you see a quick and complete recovery in the near future.
Thank you for representing the Cayman Islands as well as you have over the years Cydonie, and congratulations for creating an international track meet featuring many of the world's best athletes (many of whom competed and won medals at London 2012) right here – Cayman Invitational.
Cydonie hold your head up high. Cayman is still proud of you. Too often we forget how many billions live on this plant and to have you represent a little island of 50000 is awesome. We didnt forgot your Commonwealth gold and we didnt forgot you in China out in lane eight making Cayman proud. We have the greatest amount of respect for all you do. Good luck from a true Caymanian
I was heart broken to see both cayman runners drop out of the race!!
Well said Ronald!! Keep it up and you will bring home the GOLD.
Don’t be silly – lovely lad I am sure, but he is not a World Class athlete at present. What matters is that atevery event in which he competes, he always produces a ” Personal Best ” performance – you can never ask any more of any competitor. Just lok at the situation with Usain Bolt. For over four years every 100m and 200m runner in the World has had to acknowledge that it would be virtually impossible to win Gold in any race in which he is competing. There is no embarrassment in accepting that you can never be the best – just do your best.
Ms. Mothersil~ I do not know what your heel injury is, but I had a stress fracture in my heel and could not walk for almost 6 months let alone train for the Olympics. Be proud of yourself for getting where you did and congrats on all your achievements in the past. You are still a wonderful role model to Cayman. Good luck!
Can someone PLEASE explain the thumbs down to this article?? Just how many people are talented enough to make it to the Olympics? If they had to bow out at the end due to injury or another reason, can't people at least give positive vibes for her making it that far?? I am at a loss of understanding. Yes, I realize money was spent to send her to the Olympics in London, but even if she could not compete, she trained hard and long enough and was good enough to deserve to get over there. How many of us can say that??