Jamaicans react to Shelly’s gold-medal run
ST ANDREW, Jamaica – There were cheers and celebration in sections of Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, where scores of Jamaicans gathered to watch sprint sensation Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce capture the World 100m treble at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, on Monday morning.
Fraser-Pryce, affectionately called Pocket Rocket, clocked a time of 10.76 seconds, retaining her world title ahead of Dutch champion Dafne Shippers who ran 10.81s to secure the silver medal.
“From she start out me know she was going to win, I was never in doubt,” said Sharon Smith, one of several Jamaicans who gathered in front of the big screen in the busy town.
“Yes, yes a the real big woman that,” shouted another Jamaican.
Jamaicans also commended 2007 women’s 100m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, who finished fourth in a time of 10.91s, and Natasha Morrison who ran 11.02 seconds to finish seventh.
“Them never win but we really proud of them they went out and gave their all,” said Dwayne Smith, another Jamaican who said he had to pause to watch the race while on his way to work.
Kimmo Matthews
