Chat-bout.net - Special! ... Jamaica dominate again in Beijing

Special! ... Jamaica dominate again in Beijing

Seven. Second. Twelve. One. Those were the numbers that mattered as Jamaica wrapped up a successful and historic campaign at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, with a mixed bag of ecstasy and heartbreak on the last day inside the Bird's Nest Stadium.

The island closed its account with twelve medals, including a history-making seven gold medals, equalling the most in the nation's history, and finished second on the medal standings - the country's best placing at these championships.

It's a performance that had technical leader Maurice Wilson sporting a broad smile yesterday, and, as he puts it, showed the unity of a team that could have easily imploded under pressure.

Jamaica won seven gold, two silver and three bronze, and finished behind Kenya (16 medals - 7 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze), and in front of the United States (18 medals - 6 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze).

Management team

Wilson lauded the athletes for their dedication and praised the efforts of the management team and coaches for what he called a special performance.

"It was a long road. It was a difficult journey. But sometimes the criticism made us more resolute in terms of our performances," said Wilson.

"This is indeed a special performance by the team, and I would hope for Jamaica to feed on this success. It was a united effort, and we want to translate this into how we deal with our country," Wilson added.

Earlier, the several hundred Jamaican fans inside the Bird's Nest stadium were treated to a courageous and ruthless performance from the women's 4x400m team, which recorded only their second win in the event at the World Championships, crossing the line in front of the United States.

A blistering sub-50 second opening leg by Christine Day dug the foundation, 400m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson on the second leg laid the blocks, Stephenie-Ann McPherson added the roof under immense pressure from hurricane Allyson Felix on the third leg, where the Jamaicans lost a size able lead, but veteran Novlene Williams-Mills, a fighter on and off the track, bided her time, adding the finishing touches to a masterful job, as she reeled in and blew past Francena McCorory in the last 60m to give Jamaica their first gold medal in the event since 2001 in Edmonton.

World power

SEVEN. Second. Twelve. One. Those were the numbers that mattered as Jamaica wrapped up a successful and historic campaign at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, with a mixed bag of ecstasy and heartbreak on the last day inside the Bird's Nest Stadium.

It's a performance that had technical leader Maurice Wilson sporting a broad smile yesterday, and, as he puts it, showed the unity of a team that could have easily imploded under pressure.

Jamaica won seven gold, two silver and three bronze, and finished behind Kenya (16 medals - 7 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze), and in front of the United States (18 medals - 6 gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze).

Management team

Wilson lauded the athletes for their dedication and praised the efforts of the management team and coaches for what he called a special performance.

"It was a long road. It was a difficult journey. But sometimes the criticism made us more resolute in terms of our performances," said Wilson.

World power

A world-leading 3:19.13 was the winning time, with the USA crossing the line in second in 3:19.44 ahead of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 3:23.62.

"With the women's 4x400m, we really planned for this, and we have to congratulate coach Paul Francis because he had a dream, and we bought into it, and we were able to do so well against the United States," said Wilson.

"The US may be rated as a first-world power, but we have shown them that with hard work and dedication and getting the team unified around a single cause, anything is possible."

There was heartbreak for the Jamaican men's 4x400m relay team that had invested heavily in winning a medal.

The Jamaicans were within striking distance until the third leg, when Javon Francis received the baton near the back of the pack. Déjà vu. It was Moscow 2013 all over again.

The youngster wasted little time blazing to the front of the queue, but this time, he didn't have enough in his reserve tank, as he faded and eventually finished fourth, beaten on the line by the Great Britain and Northern Ireland athlete, despite posting the same time, 2:58.51.

First place went to the USA, who won their second medal on the track with a world-leading 2:57.82, with Trinidad and Tobago claiming the silver medal in 2:58.20.

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