By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser
Jamaica added another medal to their tally as Shericka Williams performed amazingly, coming in second place this morning in the women’s 400 meter flat race. It was a bit of a surprise for avid track fans, since most sports analysts did not predict she would medal.
Williams copped the silver medal unexpectedly in a time of 49.69 seconds. The race was won by Christine Ohuruogu from Britain in 49.62 seconds and Sanya Richards came third, taking the bronze medal for the United States.
Richards, who was listed as the favorite to win the women’s 400 meter, finished in a time of 49.93 seconds. Although representing the United States in Beijing, she is a naturalized US citizen of Jamaican parentage.
In another final event today the 100 meters hurdles for women saw both Jamaican contestants, Delloreen Ennis-London and Brigitte Foster disappointingly failing to make the podium. Finishing fifth and sixth respectively, they ran the race in 12.65 and 12.66 seconds.
After many years of international competition, Foster announced today that she plans to hang up her track shoes and retire.
The Olympic finals began on August 15 and Jamaica is currently number 4 in the world in athletics with 5 medals – 2 gold and 3 silver medals. Russia, the United States and Kenya rank first second and third.
