PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday congratulated Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on her gold medal win in the finals of the 100 metres at the IAAF World Athletics Championships now underway in Beijing.

“I am very pleased that Shelly-Ann and Usain have successfully defended their 100-metre titles in Beijing,” Simpson Miller said in a statement.

“This win by Shelly-Ann is very special to me, as I know it is to all Jamaicans at home and abroad. Shelly-Ann symbolises the hopes and aspirations of the Jamaican people, and she is consistent in her representation of personal and national excellence,” the prime minister said.

Fraser-Pryce took the race in 10.76 seconds, successfully defending her title and becoming the first woman to capture three 100m World Championships titles.

Simpson Miller said that the stellar achievements of the world champion represent a clear reminder of the outcome and benefit of hard work, discipline, dedication, ambition, faith, and focus.

“I congratulate Shelly-Ann wholeheartedly for continuing to inspire the Jamaican nation and people, and for always reminding us that we are all capable of achieving greatness if we dream big and apply ourselves steadfastly to the accomplishment of our ambitions,” Simpson Miller said.

She also extended her best wishes to other Jamaican athletes yet to compete in Beijing, and reiterated how pleased she is with the performance of all those have already participated.

Early yesterday morning, Jamaicans crowded Half-Way-Tree square in St Andrew, as has become customary, to watch the race on large screens normally used to display electronic advertisements.

The crowd erupted into celebration as the ‘Pocket Rocket’, as the diminutive Fraser-Pryce is known, pulled away from the field and held off a late challenge by Dutch sprinter Dafne Schipper, who placed second in 10.81 seconds. American Tori Bowie finished in third spot with 10.86 seconds.