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Caribbean Sports Figures Of 2010

While 2010 marked the year when the world`s fastest and former fastest men were forced to step aside from athletic competition due to injuries, the year definitely marked the resurgence in the spotlight of Jamaican cricketer Chris Gayle.

Of course, while earlier on in the year, the news focused on Gayle`s struggles to lead the Windies to a win and then of course the left-hander`s refusal to sign a contract and his removal as captain, the end of 2010 marked the return of the Gayle storm, many fans have known and loved.

Gayle created history and broke many records in the first test of the West Indies in Sri Lanka with a knock of 333 - Test cricket`s 11th highest score. The performance allowed West Indies to declare on 580 for nine thanks to Gayle`s whirlwind efforts and forced the Sri Lankans to follow on and the hosts had to battle for a draw.

The year also marked the emergence of the first international cricketer and skipper of the West Indies from St Lucia – Darren Julius Garvey Sammy. Given the team`s performance in Sri Lanka, there is little doubt that the 26-year-old has the leadership skills and wherewithal to retake the Windies to the place of respect it once held. Let`s hope this can happen in 2010.

2010 also was the year of Veronica Campbell Brown and Jamaica`s Alia Atkinson. Campbell Brown continued her dominance on the track, resulting in a nomination this year for IAAF top athlete of the year.

While she did not win, the nomination was historic since Campbell Brown was the only Caribbean athlete in to make the cut. The 100-metre Indoor champion was also named the 2010 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) female Athlete of the Year.

Atkinson made history by becoming the first Jamaican woman to compete in a final at a FINA World Swimming Championships.
While Bolt was off the track after a somewhat promising 9.86s in May in Daegu, the site of the 2011 World Championships, he still continued to break records in 2010. It was the year he renewed his contract with PUMA; added Hublot to his list of sponsors and electrified track and field fans at the 116th renewal of the Penn Relays in April.

2010 was also the year he penned his illustrated autobiography, unveiled the Berlin Wall in Kingston and helped to re-open the Sherwood Content Health Centre. It was also the year of his first scandal with news breaking that Bolt had had a steamy relationship with a bartender then dumped her.

But that did not last but 9.58 seconds, as Bolt continued to create buzz and make news wherever he went.

Jamaican Yohan Blake was the surprise of the season this year in the 200-m. The 20-year-old recorded a fine 19.86 clocking in Zürich placing second. Also establishing herself at the 100-m level this year was Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad & Tobago while Jamaican Dustin Brown became the first player from the island nation to play at the U. S. Open.

Who can forget Cuba`s 110-meter hurdler, Cuban Dayron Robles, along with triple jumper Daynelis Alcántara, who were awarded the best athletes in Central America and the Caribbean for 2010 and Kirani James from Grenada?

There is no denying that the Caribbean`s sportsmen and women continue to shine and 2011 will be the year when they shine even brighter.

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