There is bitterness in The Gambia that popular sprinter Jaysuma Saidy Ndure betrayed Gambian sport by changing nationality to Norway.  He is now a center of attention, following his brilliant performance at the ExxonMobil Bislett Games, in Norway. 

Jaysuma came out second in the 200 meters in 20.36 seconds, giving world-record holder Usain Bolt a run for his money.  The Jamaican sprinter finished the race in 19.79 seconds – a very narrow defeat! 

Some years ago, Jaysuma was The Gambia’s top runner. His relationship with the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) became sour and he left. In 2006 he started to run for Norway, the fourth richest country in the world. 

The 28-year-old holds the Norwegian record in both 100 and 200 meters. He is one of the fastest runners in the world. Jaysuma is reported to be among the richest sportsmen in Norway. 

To many Norwegians, he is a hero but in The Gambia, some people think he is nothing but a betrayer. 

One Sanna Manjang wrote on Facebook: “He's doing it for himself and his country Norway, not a Gambian so no single noise going out for him.” 

Ebrima Ceesay in Sweden said Jaysuma’s achievement on the track is for Norway to celebrate and not The Gambia. “It doesn’t concern us,” he added. 

Jaysuma is looking forward to becoming the world’s fastest man, one day.