[Veronica Campbell-Brown] found herself back in seventh place at one stage in the race, but powered her way past the field, which included longstanding nemesis Allyson Felix, to win in 11.01 seconds. Felix (11.13) placed fifth, with Trinidad and Tobago's KellyAnn Baptiste (1 1 .06) second and Jamaica's Carrie Russell (11.08) third. "I felt a little bit of energy in my last couple steps to push forward. It was so electrifying (inside the stadium), I could hear people in the stands saying, 'It is your home, don't let anybody beat you." It is always good to compete here, it is very fun and the crowd motivates me a lot, so it is great."
No doubt the friendly, but highly-charged rivalry between Jamaica's two world record holders. [Yohan Blake] and Bolt will be the focus of attention after what has been a highlight year for both. But other Caribbean sprinters such as St. Kitts' [Kim Collins] and Trinidad and Tobago's [Richard Thompson] and fellow Jamaican Powell cannot be ruled out of the medal mix in the 100 and 200 meters. The 22-year-old Blake made a show of his aspirations when he easily won last year's World Championships after Bolt was disqualified: he then made a permanent dent in Bolt's armor of invincibility by clobbering him twice (100m and 200m) at Jamaica's Olympic trials earlier this month. Other Caribbean athletes poised to make their mark in London are Grenada's Rondell Bartolomew, (400m), Ryan Braithwaite à former World Championship gold medalist of Barbados, (110m Hurdles); St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Kineke Alexander (Women's 400m), Antiguan sprinter Daniel Bailey, (100m), and Guyana's Aliann Pompey, a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist (Women's 400m).
"We're all big men, it won't affect our performance. We have to get on with it. It's not a case of what I've said upsetting the team," [Chris Gayle] said. "I am definitely not giving up the captaincy after this Test match. I think I still have a big part to play in West Indies cricket," Gayle said. "It takes a toll on your body and your mental strength. It can drain you a bit," said Gayle, whom the Guardian quoted on Tuesday as saying he preferred Twenty20 cricket to Test cricket.
[Yohan Blake], regarded by many as a potential heir to top local athletes like former world record holder Asafa Powell and current double world record holder, Usain Bolt, has been creating waves at the senior level for the past few seasons. Add the above to his impressive achievements at the junior level, the national junior record holder and tied with Nigeria's Seun Ogunkoya as the youngest sprinter to have broken the 10-second barrier, it seems Racers may well have another star in their midst.
Alphanso Cunningham hit world record form last Friday, July 26 to capture Jamaica s first gold medal at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France. The 32-year-old Cunningham won the F52-54 Javelin final with a throw of 24.30 metres to claim the country s second medal to date.
"The team that Jamaica currently has, I am confident will make us all very proud," [Horace I Burrell]- said, while speaking at a sponsorship announcement cere^ mony for the local coaching school held at the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) head office, Wednesday, April 4. "I was speaking with the President of the United States Football' Federation and he tells me that the US are now trembling because they know that Jamaica has a strong front line and of all the teams in CONCACAF, they are afraid of two teams. Jamaica and Mexico." Burrell said.
'It's a phenomenal season, starting from the first track meet indoors when I ran two personal best times in the 60m and 60m hurdles and it just transferred to the outdoor season. I'm very happy about how things have gone this year," said Williams, a student at the Graham-coached Johnson C. Smith University. 'It really didn't cross my mind at all, to be honest. During the season my coach and I spoke and he asked me if I wanted to go to Jamaica and to the trials and naturally my answer was 'yes', because I always look forward to competing in Jamaica. But making the team and winning at trials was never in my head," Williams admitted.
News broke on July 14 that five Jamaican athletes had failed drug tests at the national championships in June, setting off one of the biggest drug scandals ever faced by Jamaican athletes and authorities. In addition to [Smikle], global stars, former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic 100-metre silver medalist She rone Simpson, as well as Allison Randall and 19-year-old Damar Robinson also failed drug tests. The news broke one month after it was announced that Veronica Campbell Brown, another global star and two-time Olympic 200-metre champion, had failed a drug test after competing at the Jamaica International Invitational in May.
Former Herbert Morrison Technical star also sprinted his way into the history books, becoming the first athlete to win back-to-back 100m titles at the Championships.
Rupert Green and Judith Dinnal on Sunday, January 5 won the respective male and female Run sections of inaugural LIME Foundation 6K Walk/Run held in Waterford in Portmore, St Catherine. Green, who ran unattached, won in 19:00.82 minutes over Kemar Leslie, 19:25.09, and Robin Rowe, 20:09.42, both of Mavis Bank Track Club. Among the women, Dinnal was a comfortable winner in 25:37.43, over Jilliane Lewis, 28:38.89, of We Got The Runs, and Floret Kelly of Double Marchers, who was third in 30:49.38.
