World Champs medal history - One golden triple jump medal

Jamaica has the oddest history in the women's triple jump at the IAAF World Championships. Though the nation has had high-class jumpers for more than a decade, their efforts have yielded just one medal. That medal, however, was gold.

It came in a supreme effort by Trecia-Kaye Smith at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Smith had barely missed a medal at the 2004 Olympics and bounded into 2005 with a mission to reach the podium. She succeeded despite a leg injury and stretched out to 15.11m, not far from her national record of 15.16.

Smith jumped in three World and three Olympic finals before she retired. Kimberly Williams joined her in the 2012 Olympic final and actually took a bronze medal at the 2014 World Indoor Championships. Williams, herself, had company at the last World Championships from compatriot Shanieka Ricketts.

BATTLE FOR JAMAICA

Williams and Ricketts, who, like Smith, dominated the US college scene, will seek to add to that lone 2005 gold when they do battle for Jamaica at the World Championships in London next month. At 28 and 25, respectively, Williams and Ricketts could have their best jumps ahead of them. Perhaps, these special efforts will come in London.