Shelly-Ann, VCB create pandemoniun at Jamaica 50 Jubilee Village
Pandemonium broke loose at the Jamaica 50 Jubilee Village on the grounds of the National Stadium yesterday afternoon as scores of Jamaicans celebrated the performance of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Veronica Campbell Brown in the final of the women’s 100 metres at the London Olympics.
The Jubilee Village, a highlight of the Jamaica 50 observation, has been opened since Monday, and has been abuzz with activities forming part of the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Minutes before the scheduled start of the highly-anticipated match-up between the Jamaican sprinters and their American counterparts, media personality Jennifer ‘Jenny Jenny’ Small, who was hosting an afternoon concert, advised patrons that it was fast approaching race time.
Within seconds, scores of persons moved towards the front of the stage where a large screen was projecting the athletes as they lined up for the event of the day.
A few patrons made a slight detour as they sought to capitalise on an announcement that beer company, Red Stripe was giving each patron a bottle of beer, ahead of the race.
“Wi need fi pray, a can’t tek it, cause a don’t want to have baby on the stage,” bellowed the heavily expectant Small to much laughter from what had become a large gathering of anxious Jamaican supporters.
Ten-point-seven-five seconds later, the crowd erupted as Fraser-Pryce powered through the finish line, ahead of Carmelita Jeter of the United States.
There were more screams, jumping and prancing when it was confirmed that Veronica Campbell Brown had secured the bronze medal.
“I knew she could do it, I expected it,” said a beaming Caribe Breese, as she spoke with the Jamaica Observer.
As the crowd celebrated, Small called on the sound system operator to “play a tune” and the selector responded with a medley of Jamaican classics.
Chairman of the Jamaica 50 planning committee, Robert Bryan, who was also on hand, expressed delight at the victory and with the atmosphere that pervaded the air at the Jubilee Village.
BREESE …I knew she could do it, I expected it
The crowd celebrates the superb performance of Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Veronica Campbell Brown at yesterday’s London Olympics.
(Photos: Karl McLarty)
