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In Atlanta 1996, our medal count was 6. Who will forget the indomitable
Deon Hemmings’ gold medal (our first since 1976) performance in the
400m hurdles or James Beckford winning our first field medal taking
silver in the long jump? Ottey, medaled once again, taking silver in the
100m and the 200m. Bronze went to both the men’s 4 x 400m and the
women’s 4 x 100m relay teams.
In Sydney 2000, we took nine medals. The men performed well taking
bronze in the 400m and the 4 x 400m relay. The women were outstanding
taking silver and bronze in the 100m, bronze in the 200m, and
silver in the 400m, 400m hurdles, 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m team relays.
Ottey and Hemmings returned, and the world met the young Veronica
Campbell.
In Athens 2004, we took four medals. Who will forget the unstoppable
Veronica Campbell in the 200m or the outstanding ladies relay team in
the 4 X 100m who took gold? Bronze it was for Campbell in the 100m,
as well as the women’s 4 x 400m relay, while Danny McFarlane brought
home a silver medal in the 400m hurdles.
And then there was Beijing 2008. Eleven medals – six of them gold!
This included record-breaking and heart-stopping performances, leaving
us almost breathless and sometimes on the verge of tears.
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OLYMPIC GREATS & GREATNESS
(CONTINUED)
Front Page of The Gleaner, July 28, 1952.
The men took gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4 x 100 m relay. Usain Bolt
entered the Games a favourite in the 200m and dazzled his opponents
and fans with an unbelievable then world-record 19.30s. But it was the
100m which gave the world a “WOW” moment when he won in a then
world-record 9.69s. Breathtakingly, the 4x100m men’s relay team set
a new world record (since broken by Team Jamaica) with Nesta Carter,
Michael Frater, Usain and Asafa Powell running the anchor.
The women did not disappoint. The 1-2-2 placing of Shelly-Ann Fraser,
Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson in the 100m women, had to be
the most exciting women’s event seen at the Games. Gold was Veronica
Campbell’s in the 200m and Melanie Walker’s in the 400m hurdles. In
other individual medals, Sherika Williams took silver in the 400m while
Kerron Stewart took bronze in the 200m. And the 4x400 relay team
brought home bronze.
Beijing 2008 was spectacular. Jamaica’s National Anthem played so
many times, and our flag dominated the “Bird’s Nest” so overwhelmingly,
that the distinction between Team Jamaica and Brand Jamaica disappeared.
Following our superb performances in Beijing 2008, expectations
have soared and our journey back to London in 2012 is highly anticipated
in Jamaica and around the world.
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