Those familiar with African prose will recall The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born, a tale of a man who tries his best to live according to his incorruptible principles while the world around him sees otherwise.
I quickly remembered Ayi Kwei Armah’s book during the recent gender controversy involving South Africa’s Caster Semenya. So young, energetic and unknown, Semenya burst from obscurity with a magical victory and a world record in the 800m at the 2009 IAAF Athletic World Championship in Berlin.
Unfortunately for South Africa, their girl’s record-breaking run was diluted by the IAAF’s demands for a gender test.
So who is this 18-year-old who caught the attention of the world in Berlin? A native of Limpopo province in South Africa, Semenya first hit the headlines when she won the 800m at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth games in India. Semenya also clinched the 800m and 1500m at the 2009 African Junior Championship.
Do such feats require suspicion and jealousy? Did the South African athletics authorities never look at her before fielding candidates at the African championship? Is she the first to beat rivals with highly impressive times? That is why I keep remembering Ayi Kwei Armah’s book.
The big heads at the IAAF should be aware that better athletes are always around the corner because humans are hungrier for success - and untapped talents are abundant in this world. They should concentrate on testing for banned substances and not discourage a young and talented athlete from making her mark. I listened to her mum address the world in an interview and thought of the embarrassment the IAAF might have caused for them.
This space also accords me the opportunity to hail the outstanding performance of Jamaica’s Usain Bolt in the Berlin meet. With his status as 200m champion at the Olympics and World Championships, Bolt leaves food for thought in the minds of sport lovers. With his trademark finger shot in the sky, his great achievement marvels the human eyes and is a source of inspiration for younger athletes.
I’m reminded of the exploits of Jesse Owens. Despite the preaching of Aryan supremacy, Owens dumbfounded spectators to coast home with a haul of four medals in track and field events at the 1936 Olympics. What a mean feat by an intimidated athlete at that particular time.
In any case, going back to Caster Semenya, I salute her. In the wake of her feat, South Africa and African teams should be well prepared to dust the rest of the world at the forthcoming soccer World Cup. It would be marvellous to have an African nation clinch a trophy that seems destined for Europe or South America. Indeed it may happen, because the beautiful ones are not yet born.
Ukachukwu Okorie is originally from Nigeria and writes weekly for Metro Éireann. Visit his website at www.olumouka.com
