But it wasn't just the athletes who had an appointment at the end of June. More than eighty people also had a role to play in this event, a very special supporting role. For a single 100m race, a dozen officials are needed to coordinate their actions and interventions in perfect harmony, as practiced dozens and dozens of times. Two starters, two assistant starters, 1 referee official, 6 finish line officials - and that's not counting the volunteers involved in welcoming, registering and controlling access to the call room, basket carriers, etc., etc., etc.... For the entire track and field competition, in addition to all the other volunteers, more than 80 people proudly wore the officials' uniforms and assumed their duties and responsibilities. Of course, they are counted among the volunteers, but this special group is directly concerned with the accuracy and relevance of the event. It was THE most anticipated track and field competition of the year in Canada... an Olympic selection event. For a regional-level competition, some twenty officials are normally required, but even so, this number is not always reached...
In all sports, officiating requires hours and hours of training, preparation and self-sacrifice! We supervise them, meet with them, evaluate them and point out their strengths and weaknesses, all the while hoping that they'll want to improve and stay on to play this all-important support role. If we don't talk about them during the event, their role will have been played to perfection! That's just the way it is. Every sport relies on those essential people who are willing to make the rule book their own as best they can and perfect their mastery of it. They give generously of their time to share their expertise and their love of the sport, often quite simply to enable others to experience their unique moment, their sporting passion.
As in many sectors, the Quebec sports world is threatened by a shortage of manpower, and this is particularly true of officials. This is the case for many sports - almost all, in fact. Unfortunately, more and more matches are being cancelled here and there for lack of officials. In return, those who do attend are all too often overworked. We hear cries for help.
A few months ago I wrote: "Models of perseverance and determination are important and nourish us all a little... Bravo!" Let me redirect it this time to those men and women who give so selflessly of themselves to take on an officiating role: Thank you for so many hours devoted to sport and for all the energy you so generously share! THANK YOU! For taking up the challenge of working on the sidelines, in the backfield, in a supporting role... your role is essential to the sport!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
