FANTASTIC!", is how an elated Prime Minister Golding described the performance of the three Jamaican women in the 100-metre race at the Beijing Olympics.

All three places were taken by the women, with Shelly-Ann Fraser winning the race in 10.78 seconds; and Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson dead heating for second, in the identical time of 10.98 seconds.

An elated Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right), applauds after watching Shelly-Ann Fraser winning the 100-metre race for women at the Olympic Games in Bejing, China, today (August 17), at Jamaica House. Jamaica's other two athletes, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, dead heated for second. With the Prime Minister (from left) are: Dr. Denise Eldemire-Shearer and Mitzy Seaga.

"It can't get any better than this. I mean, there are only three medals in the race and we took them all. How can it get better than this? Those girls are fantastic," the Prime Minister told JIS News in an interview, after watching the race at Jamaica House.

"Usain Bolt started it yesterday with that tremendous performance and the women came out today to show that woman power on the track is as powerful as anything that Usain can do. It is so wonderful. I love them all," Mr. Golding said.

Mr. Bolt won the men's 100-metre race in a world record time of 9.69 seconds.

The Prime Minister said that the Government would be working out how best to honour all the participating athletes when they return, noting that a lot would be done. "Nuff tings a go gwan, nuff, nuff tings," the Prime Minister said.

This is the first time in the history of the Olympic Games that one country has taken all the medals in the 100 metres for women. It is also the first time since 1988, that one country is winning both the men's and women's 100-metre races. It was last achieved by the United States.

Following is the text of the Prime Minister's short statement.

"It can't get any better than this. I mean, there are only three medals in the race and we took them all. How can it get better than this? This is so good and fantastic.

"Usain Bolt started it yesterday with that tremendous performance and the women came out today to show that woman power on the track is as powerful as anything that Usain can do. It is so wonderful. I love them all."

Commenting on what the Government would be doing to honour all the participating athletes when they return, he said a lot would be done. "Nuff tings a go gwan, nuff, nuff tings," the Prime Minister said.

Source: Jamaica Information Service