Jamaica’s Medals at the 2012 London Olympics

The sprinting capital of the world has had another successful Olympics. 4 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 4 bronze medals for a total of 12 medals, our best haul in terms of number of medals but our second best in terms of quality of medals. The entire Jamaican Olympic team did well so as promised I have broken down all our medals, the events they were won in and by which athletes.

Usain Bolt 100m – Gold

One of the main faces of the Olympics in the marque event on the track, 80,000 strong in the Olympic Stadium all having their breath taken away in less than 10 seconds. Usain Bolt blew the field and his doubters away running a new Olympic record and his best time in a while to win the 100m gold medal.

Yohan Blake 100m – Silver

The beast has been a household name in Jamaica for years but he announced his presence on the world stage last year by becoming the youngest ever winner of the 100m title at the World Championships. He grew to become the only challenger to to Usian Bolt’s dominance and equaled his best time ever to finish second and win the silver medal behind Bolt.

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – 100m – Gold

The pocket rocket whose smile I can’t get enough of Shelly-Ann was an unknown name to most of the world back in 2008 when she blasted to the 100 title in Beijing. This time she was well know by her competitors but that changed nothing as she defended her 100m title holding off a fast finishing Carmelita Jeter and the veteran Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Veronica Campbell-Brown – 100m – Bronze

Easily Jmaica’s most decorated athlete from her time as a junior to the Olympics and World Championships. Veronica Campbell-Brown has been Jamaica’s sprinting darling for 15 years. She was outdone by fellow Jamaican Shelly-Ann and American Jeter in the final of the 100m, but finished a respectable third in a very competitive field.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – 200m – Silver

Shelly missed out on the double but she cannot be faulted for her effort. She lacks the speed endurance of her more powerful competitors but managed to grab second in the 200m final to add to her 100m gold.

Hansle Parchment – 110m hurdles – Bronze

Without a doubt the medal that was the most surprising to Jamaica and the world, Hansle Parchment represented Jamaica well in the 110m high hurdles for men after teammates Andrew Riley and Richard Phillips failed in their bid to make the finals. The lanky Jamaican started slowly but finished quickly to snatch 3rd place in a new national record and is the English speaking Caribbean first medal ever in the event.

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Usain Bolt – 200m – Gold

Another Olympics, another double for for the fastest man alive. Usain completed his double-double after repeating his individual achievements in Beijing. His media squabble with American Carl Lewis is very unfortunate but in the eyes of many, myself included,  Usain Bolt is already a legend.

Yohan Blake – 200m – Silver

His victories over his training partner Usain bolt at the Olympic trials didn’t carry over the Olympics but Yohan sure did his best. Second place in the 100m and now the 200m to Bolt is nothing to be ashamed of. The beast is definitely one for the future and continues Jamaica’s depth in sprinting.

Warren Weir – 200m – Bronze

The whole world witnessed the birth of the newest sprinting star from Jamaica. Warren Weir was swallowed up in Usain’s first 5 strides but seemed to refuse to be left behind as he fought hard to keep Usain in sight. When the race was over Warren had run a lifetime best over 200m and finished 3rd, completing a Jamaican sweep of the men’s 200m.

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Women’s – 4×400 – Bronze

Jamaica has a rich history in the women’s 400m sprints and hurdles so the 4x400m has been a source of many of our Olympic medals over the years and Jamaica repeated it’s bronze medal performance from Beijing in London.

Women’s – 4x100m – Silver

Watching sprinting relay events is a nerve racking experience, combine that with the Jamaica vs USA rivalry in the sprints and you understand the added importance. The US won this round, breaking the world record in the process but Jamaica finished a super fast second.

Mens – 4x100m – Gold

If the 100m sprint is the marque event of the Olympics then the 4x100m is all of that times 4. Dropped batons, disqualifications, injuries have been the source of many heartbreaks but Nester Carter, Micheal Frater, Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt delivered a blistering race in world record time, easily the best race of the entire Olympics.

2 thoughts on “Jamaica’s Medals at the 2012 London Olympics

  1. A nice roundup Kirk. You know, I think Michael Frater is one of the most consistent sprinters on the JA team. Nesta is right up there, but seeing the length of time Michael has been around, he is a legend in his own right.

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