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Trecia Smith, gold medal winner of the triple jump

THE 10TH World Athletic Championships ended in Helsinki on Sunday with the United States and Russia, as expected, dominating the show.

The U.S. won 14 gold medals, eight silver medals and three bronze medals for a grand total of 25 medals. Russia ended with seven gold medals, eight silver medals and five bronze medals for an impressive 20.

With one gold medal, five silver medals and two bronze medals, Jamaica, however, were right up there - and hats off to them for a wonderful performance.

AMONG THE WINNERS

As one of the 21 countries to win a gold medal - two behind Ethiopia who followed the USA and Russia, one behind the likes of Cuba and France, and the same number as others like Kenya, Germany and Britain - Jamaica was among the winners.

Their haul of five silver medals was bettered only by the USA and Russia, and in terms of medals won, they were behind only the U.S., Russia and Ethiopia who, with three gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals, pipped them by one.

On top of that, Jamaica got to the final of many events and finished fourth in a few events, including the women's 3,000 steeplechase and the men's 4x100 relay.

In any language - and even though it was disappointing that Veronica Campbell ran out of her lane and finished fourth in the women's 200m, and that Usain Bolt pulled up and finished last in the men's 200m - Jamaica's performance, and particularly so that of the women, was outstanding.

Michael Frater 100m Silver Medalist

In winning the silver medal in the men's 100m, Michael Frater was good, and by winning the bronze medal, so too was the men's 4x400m relay quartet of Sanjay Ayre, Brandon Simpson, Lansford Spence and Davian Clarke.

But for the women, however, Jamaica's performance would not have been so outstanding.

Hats off to Trecia Smith, winner of the triple jump while posting the three best jumps; Campbell, who won the silver in the 200m, Delloreen Ennis-London and Brigitte Foster-Hylton who won the silver and the bronze in the women's 100 metres hurdles with both athletes clocking the same time and to the members of the teams that won the silver medal in both the 4x100 and the 4x400 relays - to Daniele Browning, Sherone Simpson, Aleen Bailey and Campbell, to Shericka Williams, Novlene Williams, Ronetta Smith and Loraine Fenton.

Korene Hinds did not win a medal. By finishing fourth in an event like the 3,000 steeplechase, however, she, too, turned in a wonderful performance and also deserves a round of applause.

Delloreen Ennis-London and Brigitte Foster-Hylton Silver and Bronze Medalist in the women's 100 metres hurdles	Veronica Campbell 100m Silver Medalist

Jamaica's performance in Helsinki was outstanding, no question about that, and those who doubt it should simply look at some of the countries that did not win a gold medal, at the number of silver medals won by Jamaica, at the number of medals won by Jamaica, and at Jamaica's position in the medal count.

PERFORMANCE IN RELAYS

If that is not good enough, they should look at Jamaica's performance in the relays.

There were four relays and in a lovely demonstration of their depth, Jamaica won two silver medals, one bronze medal, and running without Asafa Powell, they finished a close fourth in one.

With a little luck, Jamaica's performance in Helsinki could have been better.

Another gold medal, for example, would have placed them right behind Ethiopia and ahead of the likes of Cuba and France.

In the tally of medals won, another medal of any colour would have pushed them ahead of Ethiopia and left them right behind the U.S. and Russia and that would have been great.

The tally of one gold medal, five silver medals and two bronze medals at the World Championships, however, a few fourth places and a number of finals represented a wonderful performance and regardless of what may have been, regardless of the few disappointments, Jamaica, without a doubt, should be proud of their ambassadors.

Reprinted - www.jamaica-gleaner.com