Heavy rains poured down on Kingston in Jamaica, on a Sunday a fortnight ago. The winds blew stronger than usual. But hundreds stood their ground, unfazed, in front of a widescreen television mounted at a city corner. That evening they wanted to witness the glory of their hero, Usain Bolt, in the men's 100 meters final at the 2012 London Olympics.

The crowds grew bigger. Motorcyclists stopped to watch. So did passengers in passing cars. No one want