Is there a reason why certain nations in the Caribbean perform so well in atheletics?

Question

If you look at Beijing, Jamaica have done as well as any other nation on the planet in the shorter distance running. Also, there are other nations who always seem to be up there like Trinidad & Tobago.

Answer 1

Proud to be Jamaican...

It makes sense that they will only enter competitors who are capable of winning. If they swimmers are not up to Olympic standards. of course Jamaica will "choose" not to enter them. Who wants to sponsor someone only for them to fall out in the first heat? Maybe GB and US can, but most Caribbean countries cannot afford to. Instead, they concentrate their resources on those who are capable of qualifying. This method as paid off in the track events.

To answer the main question, I think it depends on whether the countries can afford to sponsor the athletes. If Caribbean athletes think they will not be looked after, they deflect and run for USA or GB or Canada. A lot of athletes from Caribbean and African countries do this.  

Answer 2

because track is a sport that you dont need alot of money for so poorer countries can do it

Answer 3

To - Proud to b jamaican.

Thats an awful argument. Why would you choose not to enter someone into the Olympics. If you were that good, you would have someone representing at every level. Fair play to Bolt - but really, it's all down to the money.

Answer 4

To build a track does not cost a lot of money in comparison to a pool etc Me and a friend at work were talking about this last night and he is heavily into athletics and that is the reason he gave me. Its down to money and space.

Answer 5

We are blessed :)

Answer 6

No dole it is a passport out of poverty

Answer 7

get up stand up, stand up for your right dont give up and fight

Answer 8

so many ppl hve **** to say..................wen the hve no facts

in JAMAICA:

We hve pools, we hve swimmers, they just chose nt to enter olympics.

we hve gyms, we hve gymnists, we just chose nt to enter

we could hve entered every sport we just chose nt to

its nt a matter of being poor and cant afford it.

OK

Answer 9

They train harder and want to win more