[Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce] burst on to the scene as a fresh-faced youngster in 2008, winning the local national trials before going on to shock the nation and the crown by claiming the title at the Beijing Olympic Games. Fraser-Pryce clocked an impressive 10.78 seconds to lead a Jamaican sweep of the event finishing ahead of compatriots Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.
"Overall, I'm just happy to come away with a win," said [Fraser-Pryce]. "Today I didn't run according to how I wanted but still came out with a viotory. That made me happy. There is a lot more room for improvement in the 200m, and I'm looking forward to more races to see how best I can put a complete race together." The men's 100m also featured three Jamaicans, but it was American Justin Gatlin. 9.97 - the Olympic lOOm bronze medallist, who crossed the line first in a tight finish; barely bettering his compatriot Mike Rodgers and Jamaican Olympic 4x1 00m relay gold-medal winner Neata Carter, who both posted season-best times of 9.99. Jamaican Shericka Williams struggled in sixth place, despite posting a season best 52.23 with 200m specialist [Felix] running second in 50.19 and Great Britain powerhouse Christine Ohuruogu finishing third in a 50.53 season's best.
Usain Bolt and his Jamaican teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been shortlisted for the United States Sports Academy Athlete-of-the-Year Award 2013.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, believes that newly crowned World 100m champion and the second-fastest man over 200m, Yohan Blake, is a source of inspiration for Jamaica's youth and encouraged the 21-yearold to remain humble and respectful. "I have a soft spot for Yohan and have always felt that he is a special athlete, having followed his career since he was a student at St Jago," Grange said. "So when Usain false started, I was confident that he would rise to the occasion and win. When Everyone was shocked about the false start, I was focused on Jamaica winning because I knew Yohan would make it happen."
"She is well trained and trains hard. She has injuries here or there but knows she is being depended on," he said. "She has delivered on three other occasions and will be there to deliver again." "It's kind of overwhelming in the sense that the team will be depending on me to take them to victory. Normally, it's Sheckema, now they're depending on me. I have a lot of nerves but I am sure I will pull through for my team," she said.
I thought that when we played against the last teams in the (Caribbean) final leg, those teams gave us an idea of what is to come in the CONCACAF final in terms of the physical characteristic of those players. I think that they will be a lot more explosive and also stronger than the Caribbean teams," said [Donovan Duckie]. "This will help us to enhance the develop - ment of our physical condition to be very competitive against them. It will also help us in our injury rehabilitation and to prevent injuries and also to develop specific explosiveness with more resistance training."
The manager of a "shocked and devastated" Jermaine Hue is questioning the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) liability after the Jamaican international midfielder was banned for nine months by the FIFA Disciplinary Panel following a antidoping rule violation. 'Jermaine (Hue) is shocked and devastated," said the Harbour View Football Club (HVFC) talisman's manager and uncle Michael Hue. "When he heard the news he was actually in training because he was hoping to be able to play in a short time. "In terms of the verdict, a nine month ban for the player; if you remember they had three matches in a short space of time ... Jermaine went to Honduras and complained about fatigue and was given the medication by the JFF's team doctor ... the doctor is employed to the football federation and it could have happened to any of the players there," Michael Hue said.
'It ranks right up there with getting my Test cap in 2000 at Queen's Park Oval and being knighted by the people of the Caribbean to say 'we want you to represent us'," [Wavell Hinds], president of the West Indies Players Association, said after topping three other nominees at the ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Wednesday night. The award's selection panel, headed by chairman Brian George, thought the 37year-old Hinds best exemplified the tenets of the award, which seeks to recognise a sporting personality who displays a high level of humility, integrity and discipline.
Alando Terrelonge, the lawyer representing embattled national sprinter Steve Mullinge, says in light of last weeks ruling by members of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) disciplinary panel not to accept into evidence an affidavit by Mullings, it is very likely that the case could be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). According to Terrelonge, who along with Patrick Bailey are representing Mullings, they are looking at taking the case to CAS. They will base their argument on an unfair hearing, as Mullings in the affidavit explained to the panel that he could not attend the hearing due to the fact that he is being 'set up', and he is 'fearful for his life'.
"Certainly within the United States all of the top level athletes are excited about it. I think we will also get a lot of Caribbean athletes involved and hopefully a lot of the top Caribbean athletes as well," [Paul Doyle] added. 'We have five dates so far but we have interest from other cities since we made the announcement. We are adding entertainment aspect with a live band and cheerleaders." Doyle said. "We are hoping that within a couple of years the momentum of the series will build very quickly and it will grow into a viable option. These are very much made-for-tv events."
