LONDON, England — Repeat Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says the Jamaican athletes competing at the 27th Olympic Games here in London need the encouragement of the Jamaicans back in Jamaica and everywhere if they are to do their best. Fraser-Pryce, who had just won the silver medal in the women’s 200m final at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night, said it took more than just physical strength to achieve their best and as such they needed all the encouragement they can get. “I think Jamaica should know that right now being here is not just all about physical strength, it’s about mental strength, it’s about the encouragement we get from back home, it’s about our nation telling us that even if we don’t get a gold, silver or bronze medal, it’s telling us congratulations because there are so many people here wanting to make the finals and it didn’t happen.”

Fraser-Pryce who had just sent encouragement to her teammates who had not won an individual medal, said: “A lot of persons had personal best (performances) and did not make the finals, so we have to give God thanks for everything and continue to lift up our athletes because they are precious.”

Fraser-Pryce was attempting her first major sprint double after winning both the 100m and 200m at the Jamaican Trials in June. She won the 100 on Saturday in 10.75 seconds and was second in the 200m in a personal best 22.09 seconds, but said she hoped she would not be asked to run too many 200m races in the future.