Two point seven million people. That’s how many people live in Jamaica. Two point seven million people.
And if it was not for a incompleted relay pass in Beijing, this little country would have won seven gold medals and in doing so finised atop the track and field table of these the 29th Olympiad held in Beijing, China.
With six gold medals, Jamaica will be topped by the United States after they complete expected victories in the men’s and women’s mile relays to finish with seven gold. They will have topped track and field table but only just.
But regardless of the accomplishments of the United States, a country of 300 million, and Russia, a country of tens of millions, this little island was unchallenged in the sprints – 5-0 over the usually dominant US, and the Russains only won the women’s sprint relay because Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart muffed a baton pass while under no pressure whatsoever.
Sherone was metres ahead of the field but Stewart, perhaps a little to eager to cement Jamaica’s dominance in the sprints at these Games, took off a little to early and the pass was not made.
Veronica Campbell squatted on her haunches, a picture of dejection as Russia sped away to win in 42.31s, a time the Jamaicans could have run in their sleep.
But these things happen for a reason. A balance was needed. Jamaica was too dominant and the incomplete pass was a way of bringing us back down to earth. If only for a moment.
Because, at these Games there is no stopping Jamaica’s newest sprint king Usain Bolt.
Bolt, Lightning Bolt has another world record to his name but this time he shared it with Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter. Together they shattered the 15-year-old world record held by the United States by a whopping three tenths of a second to win Jamaica’s sixth gold medal in 37.10s
Trinidad was almost a full second behind in second place. Japan was third.
So dominant was Bolt that he actually ran behind Powell, who scorched the anchor leg and crossed the finish line third just behind the Trinidadians.
There is no question that these games belonged to Usain Bolt – three races, three wins, three world records – a feat never before accomplished.
But then it comes as no surprise, Bolt is miles ahead of his competition. Miles ahead of this planet.
9.69s in the 100m; 19.30s in the 200m; 37.10s 4×100m relay is just mind numbing. There are really no words to describe his accomplishments that will live forever in the memory of the billions who witnessed them.
The legendary 400 metre hurdler Edwin Moses, who ran undefeated in his event for 10 years, said athletes like Bolt come along once every five or six generations. How lucky are we as a nation that he was born here in Jamaica?
But, it was not all about Bolt.
Shelly Ann Fraser, Veronica Campbell, Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Shericka Williams, Danny McFarlane, Markino Buckley, Asafa Powell, Isa Phillips, Maurice Wignall, Michael Frater, and all the others did their part in making this Jamaica’s most memorable Games yet.
In the future, people will speak about Jamaica’s performance at these Games with the same reverence they talk about the exploits of McKenley, Rhoden, Wint and Laing in ‘48.
So good has it been, we should all consider ourselves lucky to have witnessed it.
It is Richard Phillips and not Isa Phillips.
Its incredible ! as a Jamaican i feel extremely proud of our athletes, everyone one. why? because to qualify for your country was no easy feat. while we deservedly laud Bolt lets remember that those who actually made the finals of their respective events did well. Its not easy to make the final eight(8) and many did.
So, have you forgotten Melaine Walker? Melaine who?? she won the women’s 400m hurdles a few days ago in Bejing,China. She received a gold medal. Remember her now?
there is also an Isa Phillips who ran the 400m hurdles Richard Phillips ran the 110m hurdles. Anyways to the guys well done u made me soo proud to the girls no watch no face these thing happen, we love u no matter wat. mi still a say Jamaica to di flippin worl, mi bell full now if mi get any more medal tomorrow well i’ll take that too.
jamaica own the track this year,no matter where you are you must be proud to be jamaican, this is a great inspiration to a little boy and girl somewhere in jamaica running on a field,probably running barefoot but thinking,one day that’s go be me.
congrats guys you all did well it’s a pitty that wi didnt get the gold in the ladies 4×1 relay but God knows best as for lauren williams how dear you talking about woohdoo girl get a life u USA cant take a lost i guess that’s what you do for a living big up mi jamaican it remain me of my days of competing i say we will take home 7 gold and wi nearly miss it but guess what wi still the best and cheer up girls wi love u still as for asafa u go we know u run a damn good race keep the faith
“JAMAICA LAND WE LOVE” I have always known that we have the ability to do what we did in the olympic games, but unfortunately, the officials always have to find the “100ths of a second to give the giants the gold ove us. This was clearly our time. The giants were missing in action and could not deliver the goods for the great USA. It is now clear to the world that JAMAICA is the land of the sprinters of all times.
The misfortune the girls experienced was said but girls, keep your heads up high because we are absolutely, positively proud of you.
To all the Jamaican athletes, WELL DONE! You have all made us proud and we love you whether you got a medal or not. To the ‘lightening’ BIG UP! Three WR, my God, your the man. Asafa, you did your best and we love you.
The worst part of these games for me is being out of the country and not able to get the full hundred where the festivities are concerned. However, sitting up until one in the mornings just to see the races was well worth it. Big up to Mom in JA who made sure I got the results of every race as they were run.
NUFF RESPECT TO THE TEAM.
‘UNU RUN TINGS AN GAAN A LEAD’
It is heart warming to witness the feats of the Jamaican and Caribbean athletes in Beijing, China. I am especially proud of the camaraderie that I see displayed amongst the athletes, in victory as well as in defeat. These games has taught us a lot of lessons. With hard work, discipline, perseverance and the belief in ones ability we can compete and beat the best in the world. Also it is important to learn that disappointments will come (as in the 4×1 women’s relay), the lesson learnt, pick yourself up, brush yourself off and move on.
Congratulations to all my Jamaican and Caribbean athletes, their coaches, managers, family members, sponsors, friends, all the persons who work with them behind the scenes to make their dream come true.
One love
And for every one else The Bahamas may not have won golds like Jamica but we did remarkable for a country of only 300,000
Nuff respect to all the athletes wether they perform or not, it is clearlry our time as a nation to step up the way we did congrats. The world has witnessed that we as
Nuff respect to all the athletes wether they perform or not, it is clearlry our time as a nation to step up the way we did congrats. The world has witnessed it all. 1 love
God’s richest blessings on all our hard working athletes and their coaches. I hope that the government led by Mr. Bruce Golding will honour their promises to do something meaningful and substantial for these sports ambassadors. I have always been a very proud Jamaican,regardless of all the challenges we have faced. and now i am an even more proud “jamie”.
Boy di Jamaican dem tear up di tracks…..smoke, fire and lightening Bolt bun dem up! mi seh di boy n gal dem mek mi feel laka mi wah gah di olympics go run 2. Big up all di Jamaican ah evrybady who support di fastest people inna di world u si weh mi a seh…..zeeeeeeen!!!
Jamaican Athletes are beyond remarkable,the are superior when it comes to sprint. Congratulation on a job well done.Too long have we been in the race to be shadowed by dopping of other athletes.The national pride these athletes have bestowed on JAMAICA land we love is remarkable.
I will always be patriotic regardless of our accomplishment and by now all JAMAICAN old and young, home and abroard is showing their loyalty by wearing BLACK,GREEN,AND GOLD.
A job well done.you are all star and you show the world that we too can create history and though we lickle we tallawa…….
Is it mere coincidence or is it a fact that ever since the world anti-doping bodies have become so stringent that we down in these parts are now getting our just due? Hmmmm USA dont seem so potent anymore. Anyway I am a Trini but I am also a Caribbean man and this was one of the proudest moments of my life. Every Jamaican, Cuban, Bahamian and Trini victory was mine. As Lord Nelson sang many years ago “all ah we is one family” Big up!!!!!!
always please to be a jamaican,this olympic even more so,to all our olympians especially those who shine ”well done”to those who did not medal we still Love you all.
I am so proud of our Jamaican athletes. They have done an exceptional job at the Olympics. Congrats to all of them and their trainers and sponsors. Keep up the hard work. They made Jamaica proud.
I”m a Jamaican living in Sydney Australia and was very proud of all the athletes especially Usain Bolt you sure sock it to the USA.