Grange: Thompson among the greats

Rio de Janeiro, August 17, 2016 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said she was “honoured to witness Elaine Thompson’s glory” after the Jamaican sprinter won the women’s 200 metres gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this evening.

Thompson became the first woman since 1988 to win both the 100 and 200 metres at the same Olympic games.

Minister Grange said:
“Elaine is such a wonderful champion who must be counted among the greats. She has done very well. And Jamaica is very proud and we’re happy to have been able to develop such world beaters at home. So while we celebrate our champion we also give credit to our local coaches, to our athletics system and to everybody who has played a role in the tremendous success of Jamaican athletes.”

After Thompson’s victory, Jamaica’s medal tally moved to four gold and two bronze medals.

In the meantime, Usain Bolt has advanced to the final of the men’s 200 metres after running his season’s best time of 19.78 seconds in the semi-finals. Nickel Ashmeade and Yohan Blake did not advance pass the semifinals.

Nickiesha Wilson, Megan Simmonds and Shermaine Williams also did not qualify for the final of the women’s 100 metres hurdles although Williams recorded her season’s best time of 12.86 seconds in the semi-finals.