JAMAICA IS BLAZIN THE TRACK AND FIELD MASSIVE BIG UPS TO SHELLY-ANN FRASER

A few fun-loving fresh faces have suddenly turned Jamaica into the "World's Fastest Nation."

And that supposed U.S. track and field juggernaut? Well, things aren't quite going to plan.

Right fist thrust overhead as she crossed the finish line all alone, silver braces shining in the Bird's Nest lights as she hopped in celebration like the 21-year-old she is, little-known Shelly-Ann Fraser won the women's 100 meters Sunday night in 10.78 seconds to help make these Olympics a sweeping success for the Caribbean island.

Fraser was followed across the line, steps later, by teammates Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, who both finished in 10.98 and both collected silvers — giving Jamaica the first sweep of medals in a women's 100 by any nation at any Olympics or world championships.


T4R-EDITOR
I would like to say that I am very proud of the Jamaican Team. You all went out there and did your best. Keep up the good work and continue to bring home the medals. We love you and are praying for you all. A great performance I must admit. Let us repeat this again. Respect to the trainers and others who put this Dream Team together. From a Jamaican Living in the USA and definately not ashamed of either.

LIGHTING BOLT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE FAEST MAN ALIVE!! BIG UPS!!

Usain Bolt of Jamaica easily broke his own world record in the 100 meters to win the Olympic gold medal Saturday night, slowing up to celebrate and still finishing in 9.69 seconds.

Bolt stretched his arms out wide and put his palms out, then slapped his chest just before crossing the line. He came in well below his old mark of 9.72 seconds, set May 31 in New York - less than a year after Bolt took up the dash.

What had been billed as a showdown was not close at all. Richard Thompson of Trinidad took the silver medal in 9.89, and Walter Dix of the United States was third in 9.91.

The 21-year-old Bolt's performance left no doubt whatsoever about who deserves the title of "World's Fastest Man."

Former world record-holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica was fifth, while reigning world champion Tyson Gay of the United States failed to qualify for the final.

Bolt's specialty has been the 200 meters, which he will be a heavy favorite to win next week in what would be first men's Olympic sprint double since Carl Lewis in 1988. But he persuaded his coach to let him try the dash - and what quick progress Bolt has made.

CUTTIE PIE!! Lolo Jones crashes and burns

Jones crashes and burns, Harper’s surprise

American Lolo Jones lost control and “crashed and burned” to hand a surprise Olympic gold medal to her compatriot Dawn Harper in the women’s 100 metres hurdles on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, who used her athletic and academic prowess to get her out of poverty and was favourite to win the race, finished seventh after hitting the penultimate hurdle.

“You hit a hurdle about twice a year where it affects your race,” said Jones, tears welling up in her striking green eyes. “It’s just a shame that it was on the biggest race of my life.

“The hurdles were just coming up very fast and I just told myself what I always tell myself, ‘keep things tight’.

“But it’s kind of like when you are racing a car and going max velocity and you hit a curve, either you can maintain control or you can crash and burn. Today I crashed and burned.”

Harper admitted she was a surprise winner.

“You have certain people that are supposed to be the favourites,” she said. “On this particular day, and at this time, you have to run your best race.

“It’s anyone’s race … we do hurdles, and they come at you really fast. You have to execute your race.”

GAVE SUPPORT

The 24-year-old said three-times Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who also comes from East St Louis and is the wife of Harper’s coach Bob Kersee, had given her support.

“She sent me an email telling me ‘You can do it, stay focused, it’s about you. When you race on that day and that time, focus on you’,” she said.

Harper did just that when Jones, who was leading the race, hit the hurdle.

“I felt something happened I didn’t know how serious it was but … you have to focus on you because if I got caught up in her, then who knows what’ll happen to me,” she said.

Sally McLellan was an equally surprising silver medallist for Australia and admitted that she had not believed her own prediction that she would win a medal. “I lied to you,” the 21-year-old said after a photo finish separated her from bronze medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep. “In my heart I didn’t think I’d medal. But then I did.”

Jones remained kneeling on the track for a long time after the race.

“It was difficult to get back up,” Jones said. “Tonight will be hard, tomorrow will be hard. I just have to get myself back up.” (Additional reporting by John Ruwitch and Gene Cherry; Editing by Ed Osmond)