The Cost of a Stolen Dream

After all the months of build up to the Summer Olympics 2016, it has come and gone in the blink of an eye. I remember asking my friend on Sunday, “…is the Closing Ceremony tonight?” I couldn’t believe the two weeks had gone by so quickly, but time and perspective on reality are such relative things.

My perspective on the “flash” that was the Olympics made me think of Thema Williams, and I wondered if for her this world event, this dream that was hers, this time, went by as quickly… did these past two weeks move at warp speed for her, or did it seem as if time was standing still?

Earlier this year, when the Thema, Trinidad & Tobago Gymnastics Federation, Dick saga came to the public’s attention, I remember crying for Thema and actually having bad dreams revolving around the injustice of the entire situation.

How could it be that no one was able to put right such an obvious wrong? How could we allow an organisation to steal the dream of a young woman who seemed to “follow all the rules” to achieve it? How could we allow a young woman to represent our country on a global platform at an event which promotes fairness of play, when she got there in such a blatantly unfair manner?

Yet, one can argue that Marisa Dick also had her dream, a dream which she wanted to realise at any cost and by any means. Forgetting about ranking or future reputation she and her team would do anything to make that dream her reality. I still have no words which can effectively describe my disappointment in the Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee for allowing this to happen, and disappointment in myself for not, at the very least, speaking out more.

Thema has filed a lawsuit against the TTGF for 11.3 (TT) million dollars, and while there are many who support this action, there have been whispers from others about the figure, and if the wrongs against Thema are worth that much. Recently, as a direct result of all that has been happening publicly with Thema, I have been asking myself,

“What is the cost of a stolen dream?” “Is it possible to put a financial figure on it?”

On a personal level for Thema, how does one determine the value of the sacrifices made, the sleepless nights, the scholarship deferred, the time away from friends and family, the physical toll taken on her body for this dream?

What is the value of the pride one feels when representing the country they love on a global stage? When we see the emotions of athletes at that level representing their country, whether placing first or last, knowing that they have given their all, their best, at what for many is the ultimate sporting dream, how do you decide the exact monetary sum that will be sufficient if it is stolen?

Yet, this dream was not only stolen from Thema, she did not get to this stage on her own. No one on the road to greatness is ever on that road by himself or herself. There are many others who would have sacrificed and dreamed that dream with her. What about the cost to them? And what about the cost to our nation?

Are we really prepared, or have we even considered the cost to our nation when actions by “heads” in our society say it does not pay to follow the rules? If you lie, cheat or steal, you’ll get ahead? Which leads to other questions… What is real success? What does it mean to “get ahead”?

Are we prepared to deal with the reality we will face if we continue on this path, or are we willing to reflect, revisit and importantly rectify?

By Sabrina Celestin
Volunteer, TEDxPortofSpain

Photo: wired868.com
http://wired868.com/2016/02/25/new-topless-photo-rocks-gymnastics-marisa-and-thema-sent-to-disciplinary-committee/