WOMEN OLYMPIC PROFILES
Track & Field
| Born: | May 05, 1982 Trelawny, Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Ht: / Wt: | 5′4″ / 134 lbs |
| Olympics: | 2004, 2000 |
| Event(s): | 100m, 200m |
Olympic return
Veronica Campbell will represent Jamaica at the Olympics for the third time in her career this summer in Beijing, where she figures to contend for the gold medal in the women’s 100m and 200m. Campbell made her Olympic debut in Sydney in 2000, helping Jamaica’s 4×100m relay win silver. In Athens in 2004, Campbell won bronze in the 100m, gold in the 200m and ran on the winning 4×100m relay.
A mean lean
In the 100m at the World Championships in Osaka, Campbell and Lauryn Williams of the U.S. each crossed the finish line in 11.01 seconds. After a lengthy review of the photo finish, it was determined that Campbell had out-leaned Williams by the slightest of margins and she was awarded the victory.
Stellar season
Campbell’s 100m gold at the World Championships, coupled with silvers in the 200m and 4×100m relay capped an outstanding 2007 season, in which she posted seven victories in 10 100m races and three wins in five 200m starts. Her success in both events has prompted Campbell to pursue a sprint double in Beijing.
Historic victory
At the 2004 Athens Games, Campbell became the first woman from Jamaica or any Caribbean nation to win an Olympic sprint gold with her victory in the 200m. Campbell led from the start and crossed first in 22.05, holding off Allyson Felix of the U.S. (22.18) and Debbie Ferguson (22.30) of the Bahamas. The result broke a run of four consecutive silver medals for Caribbean women in the 200m. Jamaicans Grace Jackson (1988), Juliet Cuthbert (1992), and Merlene Ottey (1996), and Bahamian Pauline Davis-Thompson (2000) all finished second.
Really relay fast
Campbell was just 18-years-old when she competed at her first Olympics in Sydney in 2000, when she ran the second leg of Jamaica’s 4×100m. Campbell teamed with Tanya Lawrence, Beverly McDonald and Merlene Ottey for silver. Four years later in Athens, Campbell anchored the team of Lawrence, Sherone Simpson, and Aleen Bailey to gold.
Young breakthrough
Campbell made her international debut at the 1998 World Junior Championships, placing 17th in the 100m in 12.04. A year later, she won the race at the World Youth Championships in 11.49. At the 2000 World Junior Championships, Campbell won gold in the 100m in 11.12 and in the 200m in 22.87.
Higher learning
Campbell, who has nine brothers and sisters, attended Vere Tech, a scholastic track powerhouse in Jamaica. After high school, she decided to pursue education in the U.S. Campbell attended Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas, where she won four national titles in the 60m, 100m and 200m and set school records in the 100m and 200m while carrying a 3.8 gpa. She went on to attend the University of Arkansas, where she stood out as a sprint star in a program dominated by long-distance runners.
Track & Field
| Born: | April 16, 1984 Kingston, Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | St. Catherine, Jamaica |
| Residence: | Auburn, AL |
| Ht: / Wt: | 5′9″ / 134 lbs |
| Olympics: | None |
| Event(s): | 100m, 200m |
Olympic rookie
Kerron Stewart will make her Olympic debut for Jamaica this summer in Beijing, where she hopes to contend for a medal in the women’s 100m and 200m.
Strong season
Stewart is an emerging star in the sprints, and flashed her potential during the 2007 season. Prior to finishing seventh at the World Championships in Osaka, she ran her fastest time of the season, 11.03, in finishing runner-up to Veronica Campbell at the Jamaican Championships. She also finished second to Campbell in the 200m.
Collegiate success
While running as a senior at Auburn University in 2007, Stewart won 100m races at the Auburn Invitational in 11.10 seconds, at the Penn Relays in 11.15, and the Southeastern Conference championship in 11.10. She was equally impressive over 200m, winning the SEC and NCAA indoor and outdoor championships. She was named the nation’s top female track and field athlete.
Slow to gain
As an up-and-coming athlete in a sprint-rich nation, it would be easy for Stewart to feel overwhelmed by her competition. But by taking a realistic approach to her training and development, she has avoided becoming awestruck. “They’re great athletes and I’m a great athlete,” Stewart told the Jamaica Star. “I am not scared of the challenge. I’m taking it one step at a time. This game can bring you up and take you down.”
Track & Field
| Born: | April 26, 1982 St. Ann, Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Residence: | Gainesville, FL |
| Ht: / Wt: | 5′7″ / 126 lbs |
| Olympics: | 2004 |
| Event(s): | 400m |
Olympic return
Novlene Williams will represent Jamaica at the Olympics for the second time in her career this summer in Beijing, where she figures to contend for a medal in the women’s 400m. Williams made her Olympic debut in Athens in 2004, where she helped Jamaica win silver in the 4×400m relay.
Solid season
Williams will carry plenty of momentum into the Olympic year having posted 12 podium finishes in the 14 starts at 400m during the 2007 season, including victories at the adidas Classic, the Jamaican Championships and the Lausanne Grand Prix. At the World Championships in Osaka, Williams won bronze in a season-best 49.66, and later added silver at the IAAF World Athletics Final.
What might have been
At the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Williams appeared destined for a life-changing finish. After a quick start and solid first half in the 400m final, Williams opened a sizeable lead, and was in front coming out of the final turn onto the backstretch. But with 10 meters to go, Williams seized up a bit, which opened the door for Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders of Great Britain to pass her. Williams wound up finishing just five-hundredths of a second behind Ohuruogo and one-hundredth behind Sanders.
Join the club
The 2006 season saw Williams become the fourth Jamaican-born quarter-miler to break the 50-second barrier, joining Lorain Fenton (49.30), Grace Jackson (49.57) and Sandie Richards (49.79). Williams had three sub-50 times on the season, including a personal best 49.63 which came in her last outing in China, along with a 49.64 and a 49.65, done in Rieti and Rome respectively.
Education abroad
Like many Jamaican runners, Williams opted to pursue her collegiate education in the United States. After starring at Essex County College in Newark, N.J., Williams chose the University of Florida, where she majored in Commercial Recreation and Hospital Management. She currently trains in Gainesville under coach Tom Jones. Her hobbies are television, music and movies.
July 3, 2008 at 9:41 pm
You ladies are very talented and with your determination you will reap nothing but the best “GOLD” in Beijing.All the best to you and you have done Jamaican home and abroad “PROUD’.
nUFF RESPECT”’
July 5, 2008 at 3:42 pm
You Women make me proud to be Jamaican! Can’t wait to see you thrill them in Beijing! Let’s Go for GOLD!!!!!
July 17, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Hey novlene mi no tink ui wuda b leev eeno but mi watch most a u race dem. Mi always a cheer 4 u b cuz u have potential. If mi a watch a 400 m event mi affi look out fi u. One day ur gonna get that gold, trust me. All wen dem put u inna good lane. Memba it is going to be all about u.Lookin 4 ward to see u get gold in Beijing. And all veronica, mash up the 100m and beat Aliyson Felix, and all if u do not win, don’t give up that career of urs. We love u, u a # 1. Kerron Stewart, it is nice to see another jamaican woman rise to the top keeep it up make us proud.
July 20, 2008 at 7:34 pm
All the best to my admirable Jamaican sistren and bredren atheletes. I’ll be looking and cheering for you.
July 31, 2008 at 4:03 pm
i love all my jamaican track and field women, you r all going to make us proud in beijing.
August 1, 2008 at 8:39 am
That they will Tish, that they will…..
August 9, 2008 at 1:41 am
Ladies as always you put Jamaica first in every thing i’m greatfull to be form a place where we as jamaicans are know world wide and well respected. Do your best i”ll be cheering you on for Japan GO team Jamaca GO!
August 9, 2008 at 9:11 am
Good luck ladies especially Sherone Simpson, I met u at Crystal Palace and you were a diamond so go get your gold. Trecia Smith just jump left dem Russians.
August 19, 2008 at 8:17 am
I am so proud to be a Jamaican woman. You women even confirms it
more for me today. Keep reaching for the sky. Good Luck in all your furure endevors. Yes Mon.
August 19, 2008 at 10:20 am
Jamaica has athletes that possesses lion hearts. I love the they are performing. Big up J.A. girls scorching the track. Sought out the thing and come home.
August 19, 2008 at 10:26 am
i use to be a track star in high school in jamaica.i now live in the US. sorry i didnt persue it.i am proud of you jamaican girls.big up yourselves.make Jamaica proud.
August 21, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Why didnt Elva Goulbourne compete in bejing?? Isnt she the record holder? Why didnt Jamaica send her on??