not an easy life story elan..but let me ask you this...
If your dad or mom, or both, before or after work, rush down to meet and observe you train, farless perform. Made sure you had travel money/lunch, even not eating themselves to make sure you did, even the right foods. Work double shifts to ensure you get dem new spikes. Organize lift, lunches and whatever you required, even holding back a lot from themselves, siblings or whoever..how fast or far would you have run, if even just to show appreciation or not let them down ?
and you are absolutely correct, it's not an indication of they don't care..nb: this was not my point..My point is those NA parents ARE there, wheter by design, affordability or choice. Her in Can, not all, all the time, but at Regional levels 60 to 80 % of the time, and they bringing grands & friends too.
This is who we have to compete against, and although we can match those athletes in ability, it's sometimes difficult to match in commitment, it's the reality.
In swimming, I know a man here with 4 daughters, all swimming at the big club in the region..mean big dollars.. He's originally from Barbados(older fella), wife from phillipines. $1,200/child, besides other expenses over the year - school, winter..whatever, .. I have 3, and couldn't figure how he doing it He doh have no big job, and close to retirement, so they wanted to lay him off, which he had to fight for..she's a stay at home mom, couldn't afford babysitter, now she's driver.. Ah say B how u doing that boy ? He say, he works some extra shifts, he canvass everybody at work, he gets whatever welfare/assistance he can get..them girls all in the top 20 in the province..he or his wife or both,at every meet. You should see these girls perform..pure heart, besides they damn good.. Besides that they rewarding him with Honour roll too.., they may never make no National team (they could make Barbados if he pursue it - i already told him)..then the club because of their performance, ease him up with 2 of the girls club fees...but you know what..they not in the mall, they not finding way home and eating properly, they don't have time to slack off or relax..they going down the road all together, almost all the time. When I see he manage that, plenty ppl round him, can't complain bout the long hours at the pool or the driving..and they doing it too..including me..even if i feel he half crack..i now 1/3 mad, cause i doing just like everybody..
that is the type of commitment our athletes have to compete against..so yes, different region, differnt environment, even different goals..Swimming don't have no big money, especially if yuh mediocre on a world setting..he just hoping for a scholarship for them..better believe he on top of that..he only have a tech. Degree at Junior college..them girls do everything they can to make the man proud..and he making sure he dey to let ppl know he and them know he is..
but the fact remains..we maybe able to match them on the field, but the off the field stuff..is where they will outlast us..so your story kinda supports my point..not that our tt athletes parents don't want to..but they are not there