Special 4x100m silver for Ja's women
Published:Friday | August 19, 2016 | 10:24 PM
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil:
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said she was pleased with Jamaica's silver-medal run in the women's 4x100m at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games last night after the team recovered from an untidy first exchange to win their fifth medal in the event at the Olympics.
The team of Fraser-Pryce, who ran the anchor leg, Christania Williams, double sprint champion Elaine Thompson, and Veronica Campbell-Brown clocked 41.36 seconds, the third-fastest time in Olympic history, with the Americans clocking the second-fastest time in a well-executed 41.01 for gold, and Great Britain and Northern Ireland winning the bronze in 41.77 - a national record.
"We really wanted to get the third gold medal for Elaine (Thompson) ... . It was a pleasure to run with the ladies. We have a silver medal, and we have to give thanks," said Fraser-Pryce, who won bronze in the 100m. "I know Jamaicans are spoilt right now in the sense that they are used to so many medals, but this is special. We did our best and we are happy with this."
Campbell-Brown satisfied
Veteran sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, who has helped Jamaica to four of its five Olympic medals in the event, was also satisfied with the effort and warned that they will be looking to get to the top of the podium at the next opportunity at next year's World Championships.
The Jamaicans' lone gold in the women's 4x100m at the Olympic Games came at the Athens 2004 Games.
"It's a blessing. I have to give God thanks. A lot of persons are leaving here without a medal, so I have to be happy about what we achieved here today as a team," said Campbell-Brown. "We were going for the gold, but we fell short this time around, but we will certainly be back."
Williams, competing at her first major senior championships, got things started for the Jamaicans, but had a mix-up with Thompson as they made the first change.
"I must say thanks to God. The baton got around safely and we are thankful. This is my first Olympic Games ... . We got a medal and I am really happy about that," Williams said.