Relay success a special moment for Calvert, Stewart
GLASGOW, Scotland — Schillonie Calvert is soaring so high that she may never want to come down.
At the XX Commonwealth Games here, she won a gold medal as part of Jamaica’s record-breaking 4x100m relay team of Kerron Stewart, Veronica Campbell Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
The Jamaicans clocked 41.83 seconds for a games record and world-leading time at Hampden Park on the final day of track and field competition.
Running with the very best of female track and field in Jamaica, makes the occasion extra special for Calvert, an outstanding sprinter at the junior level.
“I am extremely proud as the four us came together and got the stick around and today we are victorious,” she said.
“It’s a very special moment for me watching Veronica and Kerron (running) in school, so being among them is like a dream come true and I am just proud to be on a team with these incredible girls,” Calvert chimed.
A gold medallist in the 4x100m in Moscow and silver in the same event in London, Calvert, 26, said it’s important that Jamaica preserves it high levels in the sprint relays.
“We want to continue the rich tradition of 4×100 running, so this (winning gold) is a motivation going into the World Championships next year knowing that we were defeated in the Bahamas (World Relays) by the US. Hopefully we can go there (World Championships) and do our ultimate best and get a gold medal,” said the St James native.
Kerron Stewart, an Olympic and World Championships silver medallist, says winning medals at her first Commonwealth Games is a cherished moment for her.
“It means a lot to me…I love doing this (running), so every opportunity I get is a blessing.
“It’s my first Commonwealth Games and it’s been overwhelming,” she said.
Stewart also won bronze in the women’s 100m in a season’s best 11.07 seconds.