Olympic Country – Jamaica
Jamaica first participated in the Olympics on 1948 and have participated in every Summer Olympics since then. They also have challenged themselves in the Winter Olympic Games since 1988. In 1960, Jamaican athletes competed as part of the West Indians federation. Jamaica have won 77 medals of which are for athletics and 1 for cycling, 22 gold, 35 silver and 21 bronze and 1 of the bronzes are from the Jamaican cycling athletes.
Although not winning any medals, the Jamaican bobsleigh team first appeared in the 1988 Winter Olympics and became the subject of a film known as cool running’s.
Jamaica have some great and well-known athletes, the most famous is Usain St Leo Bolt but Usain Bolt for short. He was born in the year of 1986 but now is retired after his hard and very exercise full life. He is thought to be the greatest runner of all time. He’s a world record holder in the 100 meter, 200 meters and the 4 people 100 meter relay. In the relay, his teammates were Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake. They are the only people to have completed the relay in under 37 seconds at the 2021 London Olympics.
Jamaica have also produced successful female sprinters like Shelly Ann Frazer Pryce who was born on the year of 1986. She is a four time world champion in 100 meters. She competes In the 60 meter, 100 meter and 200 meter races. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, she received world-wide success in the late 2000's and 2010's, helping to elevate Jamaican athletes on the international scene. In the 100 meter, her signature event, she is a 2 -time Olympic gold medalist and 4-time Olympic champion. While in a 200 meter race, she won a silver medal and a gold champion ship medal.
Blog by James from St Thomas the Martyr
