By DAVID CUFFY

OUTSTANDING achievements in whatever field of endeavour by nationals of this country have always been the catalyst to spark the creative capabilities of our calypsonians and songwriters.

One can recall the resulting musical tributes paid by our gifted composers to the international successes achieved in the past by cricketers Learie Constantine and Sonny Ramadin, and more recently, Janelle "Penny" Commissiong, Hasely Crawford and Brian Lara.

Latest in line to become a beneficiary of the creative genius of the nation's tunesmiths is sprinter Ato Boldon. Even before his history-making double bronze medal wins in the Atlanta Olymics, his exploits had become grist for the mills of the songwriters.

Alvin Douglas, a sports teacher at the St Margaret's Boys Anglican School in Belmont, is one who has penned a tribute to the young sportsman. It is a calypso about Bolden's undoubted talents simply titled Go Ato.

"I have been following Ato's career for a long time, and was inspired to write the calypso based on my conviction that he will one day become one of the world's greatest athletes," Douglas said.

The song was arranged by Ryan Romany, who enjoyed great success this year for his work with Chris Garcia on the mega hit calypso Chutney Bacchanal. It was recorded at his World Beat Studio in St Augustine.

Douglas said even though he was familiar with Boldon's career statistics, he nevertheless had to do extensive research of articles written about the lad's performances to come up with a calypso that had depth and meaning.

The chorus is a clever and quite musical repetition of the words "go Ato," so here are the three verses of the song:

"Ato Bolden is poised for victory

Poised for Olympic fame and glory

For Atlanta he's fit and ready

On the track young Bolden eh easy

Well these days Ato running real fast

And on the track he doh make skylark

Well these days Ato running real fast

And while we boy outsprinting the pack

we does be chanting... (chorus)

"When Hasely Crawford created history

In Montreal with Olympic victory

Ato Bolden was just a baby

Growing up in Santa Cruz valley

But last year Ato broke Hasely's mark

At the World Championships where he spark

But last year Ato broke Hasely's mark

And when we boy was showing he class, we was shouting... (chorus)

"In Barcelona he was not ready

To tangle with Linford and Frankie

It's no wonder he fared so badly

But that experience taught Ato plenty

The young Bolden was going off track

So he turned to John Smith for a new start

The young Bolden was going off track

But now when he stepping on the gas, we does be shouting.... (chorus).

Douglas, a resident of Manzanilla, said he has been "composing all kinds of song for over 20 years." He usually writes calypsoes for his students to take part in the school's annual calypso competitions, and also composes poems, dabbles in writing skits, and performs as well.

It took him two days to compose the calypso's outline, but about one week to clean it up and emerge with the final product.