In 2015, Usain Bolt was not supposed to win the 100 m at the World Championships in Beijing. Justin Gatlin had been on a rampage across all platforms, and Usain was injured for a time, so he was not in the best form. When Bolt “breasted” the tape, seemingly unconcerned as to how close he was to losing, the television commentator said, “Cometh the hour, cometh the man.”.
Yes, this is a cliché, but when used appropriately and at the opportune moment, even the most hackneyed cliché can sound original.
We refer to the period 2004–2017 as the Bolt Era. We note that 2008–2024 could easily be referred to as the Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce era. Such has been the dominance of these two icons over the respective periods. But this does not adequately reflect Jamaica’s sustained impact on the track and field segment of sport, particularly but not confined to sprinting.
The rise of Usain Bolt
And so we begin in 2004, simply because that is the year that Bolt made his somewhat inauspicious entrance to the highest level of competition. His prowess at the youth level was simply phenomenal, but he may have underestimated the harshness of the competition at the senior level.
The USA, as was the norm, dominated the medal table with a total of 25 medals, including 9 gold. Jamaica tied with its neighbour Cuba, winning five medals including 2 gold. Bolt did not contribute to the medal count, and it was left to Queen Veronica Campbell in the 200m and the women’s sprint relay team to mine gold. Danny McFarlane provided a silver in the 400m hurdles, having converted from the flat 400m, and the women picked up bronze in the 4x400m while Veronica added a bronze in the 100m.
Bolt finished 5th in the heats and he took a hammering from his own Jamaicans, with many prophesying the end of his career. The Americans took 8 of the 9 podium places for men from the 100m, 200m and 400m, sweeping the 200m and 400m. It is when one contemplates this kind of dominance by the USA that the appreciation for Jamaica’s “interference” can be fully appreciated.
Come 2007, and not only did Bolt not disappear as some predicted, but instead he is a rising star at the senior level and is starting to pose a real threat to the Americans, working closely with his coach and mentor Glen Mills.
Bolt & Asafa real threats to the Americans
But at that time, it was Asafa Powell who was causing the upset. Powell had made it to the final of the 100 m at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, finishing 5th but showing growing dominance in the sprints. By June 2005, he had set a world record of 9.77 to win the men’s 100 m at the IAAF Grand Prix in Athens, Greece. In the 2007 100-metre final at the World Championships, Powell picked up a bronze medal after starting as the favorite. Tyson Gay literally ran him down, and the Americans took gold.
Bolt was only competing in the 200 m at this time, and he was ready to challenge the Americans. Tyson Gay prevailed as he took the double, but Usain Bolt split the American dominance as was the case in 1968 in the 100m, thus mining silver for Jamaica, with Wallace Spearmon taking the bronze.
There was no questioning the talent of the emerging Usain Bolt, but his coach was at pains to explain to him that talent can take you so far and no further. What was to come from 2008 onward was the clearest indication that the message got home.
2008 – A star is born
By 2008, Usain Bolt had not only expressed an interest in the 100 m but had also proved his capability in the shorter distance. This is in the context where he was hitherto considered a 200m/400m specialist and was compared with the legendary Michael Johnson. In 2007, his coach gave him a challenge to break the Jamaican 200-metre record in order to be allowed to run the 100-metre.
He promptly did exactly that, shaving off .71 seconds off Donald Quarrie’s 19.86 record to replace it with his own of 19.75.
With that Bolt was ready to take on the world and in 2008 lightning would strike the Bird Nest in Beijing not once, not twice but three times.
The records will show that Bolt set world records in the 100m and 200m and assisted the 4x100m men’s relay team to a gold and a new world record of 37.10, although a retroactive judgement would rescind the relay medal. The dazed and confused Americans managed a bronze in the 100m and silver and bronze in the 200m. This must have been a frightening experience for the USA. Jamaica had never won at this level before, but to have one man take the double must have been bordering on heresy from the perspective of the USA.
There was an even greater shock in the case of the women who performed a spectacular 100-metre clean sweep, and to add insult to injury, there was a tie for second. So Jamaica, having decimated all opposition, had the temerity to finish first, second, second, and third. This marked the emergence of Shelly Ann Fraser (later Pryce), who would establish a dominance that was exceeded only by Bolt but was unparalleled in terms of longevity. Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, stars in their own right, tied for second.
It was a historical showing for Jamaica, which had never before had a 100-metre champion, neither male nor female, at the Olympics, and in one fell swoop, they had both. And it would not be the last time.
The venerable Veronica, by now Campbell-Brown, triumphed in the 200m over her perpetual rival Allyson Felix, and Kerron Stewart took the bronze. Another giant had by then emerged in the person of Melaine Walker, who dominated the 400-metre hurdles. Shericka Williams won silver in the 400m, and so did the 4x400m women’s team, while Chelsea Hammond won a bronze in the long jump.
Jamaica took home eleven medals, five gold, four silver and two bronze to finish 3rd on the track and field medal table.
2009 – Beijing was no fluke, the Jamaicans had arrived
The world was abuzz with talks of Jamaica and its athletic prowess, and by the time the 2009 World Championships rolled around, all eyes and expectations were on this small nation. Usain Bolt seemed in the mood to compensate for all the disrespect he encountered over the 2004–2007 period. Winning was no longer enough.
He decimated both world records, leaving them at 9.58 and 19.19 for the 100m and 200m, respectively. These records have endured, and I hesitate to make any predictions as to when they might be broken. Bolt also led the sprint relay time to victory, setting a world record of 37.31 seconds.
Asafa Powell was still a force to be reckoned with, and he picked up the bronze behind Tyson Gay. A look back at the completion of the two races in 2008 and those who finished in Bolt’s wake can be seen celebrating as if in victory for having managed a podium finish. Not Tyson Gay, and it may be to his credit that he was disappointed at his loss. Aspiring to the highest levels is worthy, but Bolt reigned supreme.
It was as bad, if not worse, for the Americans on the women’s side. Shelly Ann led home Kerron Stewart in the 100m for a Jamaica quinella, and the irrepressible Veronica Campbell-Brown mined silver in the 200m as she and Allyson Felix continued their battles.
Brigitte Foster-Hylton surprised herself and the world by winning the 100-metre hurdles, with Delloreen Ennis-London picking up the bronze. Melaine Walker repeated her win in the 400-metre hurdles, and the sprinting ladies took gold in the 4×100-metre relay. Shericka Williams won yet another global silver medal in the 400m, and the ladies also won silver in the 4x400m relay for a total of 13 medals, 7 of them being gold.
Jamaica was closing in on the mighty Americans, who won 10 gold medals as part of a total of 25. This had become just a little too close for comfort as this was the nation’s highest finish in recorded history.
2011 – A slight stumble
Jamaica’s dominance continued into the 2011 World Championships, where yet again the ladies held their own against even stronger competition from the USA. Campbell-Brown finished second in the 100m behind Carmelita Jeter of the USA but took the gold in the 200m to beat Jeter. Melaine Walker places second in the 400m hurdles, and the USA pushes Jamaica into second in both the sprint and 4x400m relays for women.
A catastrophe strikes in the 100 m as Usain False starts. Amazingly and disturbingly for the USA, a young Yohan Blake takes over and delivers gold for Jamaica. Hopes were restored as Usain won the 200m and again led a gold medal charge in the sprint relay with yet another world record. Jamaica added a bronze in the 4x400m relay and finished 3rd in the championships with a total of nine medals, including four golds. The Kenyans have slipped into second place, but the battle with the USA rages on.
2012 – The battle intensifies
The London Olympics in 2012 were preceded by the astonishing news that Bolt was beaten in both the 100m and 200m at the Jamaica National Trials by Yohan Blake. Come the Games, and Bolt resets the scales by winning the double. Blake follows him home in both, but shockingly for the USA, Jamaica takes all three podium places in the 200m, while Warren Weir takes third. The sprint relay team shatters the world record again, and Hansle Parchment makes his entrance at the highest level with a bronze in the 110-metre hurdles.
The Americans battle for supremacy in the women’s events, but Shelly Ann takes gold in the 100m and Veronica cops the bronze as the USA’s Jeter splits them. In the 200m, Felix strikes gold for the Americans, with Jeter in third as Shelly Ann splits them. Jamaica again has to settle for silver in both the sprint and 4x400m relays behind the USA. Kalise Spencer is eventually awarded a bronze in the 400m hurdles as Jamaica returns to second place on the medal table with 13, inclusive of 4 gold.
2013 – Bolt & Shelly-Ann, king & queen of the track
Things have become almost frenetic, as there is a track and field championship every two years and sometimes in successive years. The 2013 World Championships arrive, and Bolt and Shelly Ann are still ruling the roost. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce takes the double for the first time, and Stephanie Ann McPherson takes bronze in the 400m. The ladies dominate the sprint relay.
Bolt takes his now all-too-familiar double with Nesta Carter copping bronze, while Warren Weir follows him home for silver in the 200 m. Jamaica continues its dominance in the sprint relay, and the Americans continue their dominance in the 4x400m as Jamaica takes silver. The medal count is again 10, but with six golds, the second-place finish is maintained.
2015 – Gatlin threatens Bolt’s throne
At the 2015 World Championships, all indicators were signalling that it was time for Justin Gatlin to take the crown from Bolt. He was dominant across the world in the various meets and entered the championships as the firm favourite. With seasons best times of 9.75 and 19.57 in the sprints, Gatlin was emboldened, and after 9.77 in the semi-finals, compared with 9.96 for Bolt, the stage was set for Bolt’s dethroning.
It was not to be as the phenomenon caught Gatlin on the line, finishing like a train to win going away. After that, the 200 m was a foregone conclusion. The sprint relay was also a foregone conclusion. Hansle Parchment stepped up a notch to take silver in the 110-metre hurdles.
On the women’s side, Shelly Ann reigned supreme in the 100 m. Elaine Thompson signalled her arrival with a silver medal in the 00 m, with matriarch Veronica Campbell Brown taking bronze. Another emerging star in the form of Shericka Jackson took home bronze in the 400m, a sign of things to come. Danielle Williams shocked the world with a gold in the 100-metre hurdles, and the women went a step further than usual by not just taking the sprint relay but also besting the USA in the 4x400m.
This was too much for the USA to bear, and for the first time in the modern era, they were toppled from the pinnacle of the medal table as Kenya finished first with 16 medals, 7 of them gold. Jamaica matched Kenya with seven golds but had a total of 12 medals, thus finishing second.
To see the mighty USA finish in third must have been a bitter pill to swallow, and it is occurrences like this that have led to some of the rantings of the current crop.
2016 – USA back on top
2016 was approaching, and surely the USA must have been planning a return to the top of world athletics. This they managed, scoring a total of 32 medals with 13 gold, pushing Kenya and Jamaica back into 2nd and 3rd with 6 gold each, but with Kenya outscoring Jamaica 13 to 11.
Usain Bolt was not going to be toppled as he took home the double again to go where no one else has dared to tread. A new star emerged for Jamaica in the 400m hurdles as Omar McLeod won gold and the sprint relay team did likewise, while the 4x400m relay team picked up a silver.
Elaine Thompson stomped her class on the sprinting landscape with a double, taking the 100m and 200m. Queen Shelly Ann picked up bronze in the 100m, and Shericka Jackson picked up another 400m bronze. It was silver in both the sprint and 4x400m relays.
2017 – Long live the King
2017 was almost surreal for Jamaica and Jamaicans. Since 2016, Bolt had started giving hints of wanting to step away after a phenomenal career. He was persuaded to return just for the 100m for London World Championships. Understandably, his under preparedness resulted in his finishing third in the 100m, with Justin Gatlin winning.
Only the heroic Omar McLeod managed a gold medal for Jamaica, while Ristanana Tracey and the women sprint relay team managed bronze medals for a total of 4 medals. Jamaica ended 15th, tied with the Netherlands. The USA remained dominant with 30 medals, including 10 golds. Tajay Gayle won gold in the long jump, the 4x400m male relay team won silver, and Fedrick Dacres also won silver in the discus.
2019 – The queen reigns supreme
With the absence of Usain Bolt at the Doha World Championships in 2019, it was amazing to see Jamaica returning to 3rd position on the medal table with 12 medals, including 3 gold.
The indomitable Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce returned to victory in the 100m; Shericka Jackson took another 400m bronze; as did Danielle Williams in the 100m hurdles; and Rushell Clayton in the 400m hurdles. The ladies mined gold in the sprint relay, silver in the newly introduced mixed relay, and bronze in the 4x400m.
2020-22 – The COVID years
At the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Hansle Parchment gave Jamaica gold in the 100-metre hurdles, and Ronald Levy supported them with a bronze in the same event. Elaine Thompson made history by taking the Olympic double again, the only female to have done so. The petite Megan Tapper rose like a giant to win bronze in the 100-metre hurdles. The women won the sprint relay and placed 3rd in the 4x400m.
Based on the medal count, Jamaica finished 5th with 9 medals, including 4 gold. However, based on the new points system introduced, Jamaica rose to second. This system awards 8 points for each event, with the winner getting 8 points. You may want to apply this to encounters from the past.
2022 – Jamaican women carries the flag
Onto 2022, an odd World Championship with an even number. With no medals in male individual track events, the 4×400 relay team won a silver medal. The ladies, however, were in rampaging mode. The 100m was swept by Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, that after just having a baby, followed by Shericka Jackson, coming down from the 400m, and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Jackson and Fraser-Pryce took the 200-metre quinella in that order, and Britany Anderson won silver in the 100-metre hurdles. For the umpteenth time, the women won silver in both the sprint and 4x400m relays for a total of 10 medals, inclusive of 2 gold, finishing 3rd, with Ethiopia taking second and the usual culprits topping the table.
2023 – Passing of the baton, the legacy continues
We now come to the 2023 World Championships. Jamaica has proved beyond doubt that it has emerged from the Bolt era with the capacity to stay in the top echelons of world track and field athletics. The baton has passed almost imperceptibly, and Jamaica’s winning streak continues in spite of numerous challenges.
I was tempted to name Zharnel Hughes as a Jamaican medalist, seeing that he has spent almost all his athletic life in Jamaica. But we did not have to look too far as Antonio Watson, a youngster just recently out of high school, won gold in the 400 m, the first such victory for Jamaica since Bert Cameron in 1983. Parchment mined silver in the 110-metre hurdles, and the sprint relay team won bronze. Young Wayne Pinnock stepped up to win silver in the long jump, and his more decorated senior, Tajay Gayle, picked up the bronze.
The USA found its way back to the top of the 100-metre podium with Sha’Carri Richardson, but Shericka and Shelly Ann did win silver and bronze, respectively, and there was no stopping Shericka in the 200-metre. Danielle Williams upset the proverbial apple cart in the 100-metre hurdles, and Rushell Clayton proved reliable again with a bronze in the 400-metre hurdles.
Again, Jamaica mined silver in both relays, as Jamaica finished 4th on the medal table with 12, 7 more than Spain, who finished 3rd, but with 4 gold to Jamaica’s 3.
Victory in spite of
The USA returning to the top of the medal tables is an unremarkable feat; after all, they have a stronger, bigger, and more well-funded team. What is without doubt an astronomical feat is the monumental battle this pesky little under-resourced nation continues to wage. In per capita terms, there can be no doubt as to which country is the most outstanding.
As we count down to the 2024 Summer Olympics, pundits are getting into prophecy mode. The Jamaica/USA battle is now joined by recent statements from one of those expected to lead the fight for the USA. One cannot help thinking that the comments may have been made deliberately to discombobulate the vibes. The prognostications of this source are not for this discourse, but they will come in our series finale before the starter climbs his stand.
More Anon!
