Grange: Astonishing Jamaica Gave Their All, Every Time

Rio de Janeiro, August 20, 2016 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says “it’s absolutely fantastic” that Jamaica won silver medals in both the women’s and men’s 4×400 metres at the Rio Olympics in Brazil this evening.

The women’s team of Stephenie Ann McPherson, Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby, Shericka Jackson and Novlene Williams-Mills ran a season’s best time of 3:20.34.

The men’s team of Peter Matthews, Nathon Allen, Fitzroy Dunkley and Javon Francis also ran a season’s best time — 2:58.16.

The United States took both finals.

Minister Grange said:

“I’m very proud of our teams winning the silver medals in both 4X400 metre races; and isn’t it saying a lot about Jamaica’s athletes that it took the most powerful country in the world to take the gold ahead of us?

“I know each member of Team Jamaica gave their all each time, every time — nobody can question their commitment to our nation. However, I must highlight Javon’s effort this evening in the relay. We seemed out of medal contention and he fought so hard to ensure we got silver. That is the kind of effort we got over and over from our team and that’s the reason we’re in second place in the track and field medals table.  That’s astonishing.”

Jamaica’s medal tally is 6 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze.

Minister Grange said the coaching, administrative and other members of the support team for our athletes must be commended as they’ve “played a very critical role in helping Jamaica’s athletes to perform at their best.”