Ministry of Youth, Sport & Culture

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Jamaica's victorious 4X100 women's sprint relay team celebrate their victory at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany, on August 22. From left are: Kerron Stewart, Aleen Bailey, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Simone Facey.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, says Jamaica's performances in the 4X100 metres relays for men and women, at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany, yesterday (August 22), show that "the country rules the world of sprinting and is a force for all to reckon with."

She said the professionalism and discipline displayed on the track on the penultimate day of the prestigious meet, proved that Jamaica's track and field programme had matured sufficiently and is now a model for the world.

The Minister congratulated members of the men's and women's relay squads who put on clinical displays of relay sprinting to win gold.

She said the confidence among the teams was so strong that they were able to execute their race plans perfectly and place Jamaica in its best position yet, at a World Championships.

Jamaican supporters celebrate in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, yesterday (August 22), following Jamaica's victories in the men's and women's sprint relays at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics. With them (second left) is: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange. To her right is: Senior track and field doctor, Herb Elliott.

The Minister met both teams at track side and congratulated them on their performances, while reminding them that they were providing the country with great joy.

The women's relay team of Simone Facey, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Aleen Bailey and Kerron Stewart stopped the clock at 42.06 seconds ahead of the Bahamas and Germany. The men's team of Steve Mullings, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, posted a championship record of 37.10 seconds ahead of Trinidad and Tobago and Great Britain.

Minister Grange was full of praise for the national coaches and the individual coaches of the athletes, noting that it took great belief and commitment to achieve the outstanding results.

She said Jamaica could not adequately express thanks to the athletes, but the country was committed to showing appreciation. "The performances of these athletes deserve a lasting monument, so that generations to come will take inspiration from those who are at this time our greatest and best. We have to ensure that their legacies continue forever," the Minister said.

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