BEJING, China – They say when the lion roars, the jungle trembles. And former World record Holder Asafa Powell is warning his compatriots in the 100 Metres that his strength and speed will make him king of the Beijing jungle.
He’s drawing inspiration from Tarrus Riley’s powerful decree of strength and superiority ‘Can’t Touch the Lion’. It is the most played song on his I-Pod as he uses it to rev him on during training.
The athlete who has the most sub 10 seconds times over 100 metres among the current crop of competing athletes says he’s ready to unleash his full potential and win gold in Beijing.
And it’s not only Asafa who is finding inspiration in music in Beijing. Most members of the Jamaican team have I-pods loaded with their songs of choice and no training session is complete without a bit of musical oomph.
The most popular artiste among Jamaican athletes competing at the 29th Olympic Games is Movado.
He is one of the artistes on Asafa’s playlist. The sprinter also enjoys listening to Idonia, Vybz Kartel and Bounty Killer.
While Movado appears to be the hands down winner in a poll of the I-Pods among Jamaican athletes, Vybz Kartel runs a close second. Bob Marley, Luciano, Jah Cure, Queen Ifrika and Etana are also popular.
The athletes were delighted on Thursday when Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange visited the Olympic Village and presented them with individual copies of Etana’s new CD.
While some athletes prefer to train without music, many stock up on inspiration during their rest time in their dorms which are equipped with personal computers.
World record holder Usain Bolt listens to anything dancehall while 4X100 metres runner Nesta Carter has a lot of time for Movado and Busy Signal. Fellow 4X100 runner Dwight Thomas listens to Kartel, Rick Ross and Jay Z but the number one song during training is Movado’s tribute to Jamaica’s athletes.
110 Metres Hurdles runner Maurice Wignall listens to Gnarls Barkley’s Smiling Faces and Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and “Tears Dry on Their Own”.
Jamaica’s most decorated athlete, the veteran 400 metres hurdler Danny McFarlane is hooked on Luciano. “Luciano started it for me. He has been a constant source of inspiration over the years. I am from St Mary so Capleton has always been a special artiste for me and I listen to loads of Jah Cure, Etana and Queen Ifrika.”
400 Metres runner Michael Blackwood tunes up to the conscious sounds of Bob Marley, Sizzla and Jah Cure.
Team Captain Maurice Smith says he has a wide taste in music and listens to Lil Wayne, Jim Jones, Kartel, Movado and Bounty Killer along with artistes from wider genres and styles.
100 Metres Hurdler Vonette Dixon loves to dance and constantly listens to Elephant Man and Beenie man. “As Jamaicans we tend to have a natural rhythm and I guess that helps us on the track. It’s nice to warm up to music that you actually enjoy. ”
Dixon is in her first Olympics despite having several World Championships appearances. “Over the years there was always something wrong when the Olympics came around. I am here this time to take something from Beijing. I’d love to be among the medals.”
400 Metres hurdler Isa Phillips tends to get a bit more cerebral and trains to the sound of his voice. “I deal with self affirmation. I record my own voice reassuring and motivating myself over some background music. I find that it works, not only for track and field, but also in my personal life,” said the lanky LSU graduate who has also made forays into the world of business.
