BEIJING, China (CMC) - Sprinter Kerron Stewart said yesterday the Caribbean had come of age, following the region's clean sweep of the sprint events at the Beijing Olympics here.

The 24-year-old Jamaican, who copped bronze in the women's 200 metres won by countrywoman Veronica Campbell-Brown yesterday, said the playing field was now level and the Caribbean would now shine.

"I think it's our time to show what the Caribbean really has and we are coming around at the right time because it seems like the playing field is level now.," said Stewart, who took joint silver along with compatriot Sherone Simpson in the 100 metres.

".We know that as long as it is level and everybody is running on the same playing field, we can do what we've always been doing."

The Caribbean, led by the mighty Jamaicans, dominated the sprint events in both the men's and women's categories here.

While the amazing Usain Bolt clinched both the men's sprints, Shelly-Ann Frazier took gold in the 100 metres while Campbell-Brown put the icing on the cake with her 200- metres triumph.

Trinidadian Richard Thompson was also good for silver in the men's 100 metres and the Netherland Antilles' Churandy Martini finished second in the 200 metres before he was disqualified for a lane infringement.

Stewart said she was not disappointed by her bronze medal as she had aimed to finish in the top three.

"I felt good. I just wanted to be on that podium because I knew I had run enough races, so I just wanted to hold on and take whatever medal I could get," she said.

"I'm a Jamaican, we know how to fight so that's one thing I can say, as a kid growing up I had great examples to follow, that hard work does pay off."

Stewart can claim her third medal of the Games today when Jamaica line up in the 4x100 metres relay. They are the heavy favourites to win after the United States were disqualified in the qualifying heats yesterday.

"I am definitely looking forward to that. Growing up, relays were fundamental so you can't leave the Olympic Games without running 4x100, so I'm ready for that," she smiled.

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