Headlines:
| Jamaican women create history in Beijing |
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| Sunday, 17 August 2008 | |
 Three
young Jamaican women sprinted their way into athletics history on Sunday
morning, copping a clean sweep in the Womens' Hundred metre Olympic final in Beijing, China.21-year-old Shelly-Ann Fraser took the Gold medal and both Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, the Silver. It was the first ever gold medal in the event for Jamaica at the Olympics and the first time three female athletes from the same country have taken the top three slots in any Olympic race. The historic performance sent shock waves throughout Jamaica and came a mere 24 hours after Usain Bolt smashed his own World Record to win the men's equivalent. Jamaicans had hardly recovered from the celebrations that followed the men's 100 metres final when they were again called on to witness the women's 100 metres final which had three Jamaican women. It was about 9:25 local time when the Starter's gun shattered the tense atmosphere and it was Sherone Simpson who got the lead but at about 20 metres down the track she was overtaken by the 21 year old Shelly-Ann Fraser. As she powered to the finish line, Shelly-Ann Fraser punched the air with delight before racing to the stands to grab the Black, Green and Gold. Minutes later, it was announced that both Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart dead heated for second place, both clocking 10.98. In winning the race, Fraser smashed her previous personal best of 10.85. The Associated Press in its description of the moments immediately following the race said "Reggae music played in the background during a three-minute delay while judges looked at the photo finish". The article continued by saying there was no way to split the difference, so Jamaica turned out to be so good that it got the top three spots and did not even have to settle for a bronze. Moments after witnessing her daughter Shelley-Ann Fraser's historic Olympic feat, Maxine Simpson had one special plea. Still elated and almost speechless at her daughter's remarkable achievement, the mother of three expressed joy that she tasted victory despite the odds. But, even with the pride of accomplishment fresh in her mind, Miss Simpson made a plea to parents, and for an end to crime in the country. |