By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
THE Zambian athletes, led by gold medallist Sydney Siame, arrived back home yesterday from the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympics Games amid celebrations with officials bragging that Zambia had beaten the likes of United States of America (USA) and Jamaica in the sprint specialty.
Little known, 16-year-old Chingola runner, Siame won Zambia’s second biggest medal in athletics history by minting gold at the Youth Olympics in China last week after he clocked 10.56 seconds.
Only former world 400m hurdles champion Samuel Matete can beat this achievement.
National Olympic Committee (NOC) treasurer Stephen Simpemba, who was also and Team Zambia Chef-de-Mission to China, said on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) that the medal Siame won was an enormous achievement as it was picked at the world’s most competitive junior games.
“These are Olympic Games we are talking about and we can look to the future with excitement. This medal means that Zambia has beaten Jamaica and the USA who have dominated the short distance races over the years,” he said.
There is no doubt about the dominance that the USA and Jamaica have had in the 100 dash where legends like Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell (both Jamaicans) and Justin Gatlin of the USA have dominated the last 12 years and history also includes the likes of Carl Lewis and Jessie Owens.
A soft-spoken Siame, in his ‘victory speech’, thanked God, Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) and his family for making him believe in himself and that he can win medals.
ZAAA president Elias Mpondela was ecstatic on seeing the gold medal around Siame’s neck saying it was as a result hard work from the athlete and the officials through the strategic refocusing plan.
“This is a great moment for Zambia, we have won this very huge medal and it tells us we have a bright future because all the athletes we sent to China reached the finals. These are young guys and it means that they can only get better.
“We are proud of you, Sydney and also the guys who went to the Youth Olympics. My advice is keep your head low and you will get to achieve a lot more,” he said.
NOC Secretary Hezel Kennedy said the win showed just how hard work pays off as Siame was a quiet boy who worked very hard and puts in his all in training.