Olympics News and Info » Sherone Simpson

Beijing stars awarded national honours

RSS — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:28:45 +0000

SEVERAL members of Jamaica’s 2008 medal-winning Olympics team were yesterday honoured in a special ceremony and awarded with the country’s fifth highest national honour, the Order of Distinction, Commander and Officer Class.

In a classic 45-minute-long exercise witnessed by scores of excited Jamaicans, athletes Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Melaine Walker, Dwight Thomas, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter, Danny McFarlane and Bridgitte Foster-Hylton were honoured .

Six members of Jamaica’s world-beating delegation to the Beijing Olympics in August who were yesterday invested with the Order of Distinction (Commander class) at a special investiture ceremony at the National Stadium. From left: President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) Howard Aris; triple gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt; gold medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown; Glen Mills, Bolt’s coach; former 100m world record-holder and Olympic gold medallist Asafa Powell; and 1976 Olympic 200m gold medallist and consultant in the preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics Donald Quarrie. (Photo: Bryan Cummings

Jamaica finished the Beijing Olympics with a record haul of 11 medals – six gold, three silver and two bronze.
Bolt, Powell and Campbell-Brown were bestowed with honours in the rank of Commander, and their colleagues in the rank of Officer.

Also honoured were president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) Howard Aris; Glen Mills, coach of Usain Bolt; 1976 Olympic 200m gold medallist and consultant in the preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Donald Quarrie, who were awarded the Order of Distinction Commander Class (CD) for their service to track and field and their contribution to the athletes’ success.

The appreciative crowd, clad mostly in the green, yellow and black of the Jamaican flag which filled the stands to see the athletes, cheered and screamed to their hearts’ content, many calling out to the athletes as if they were lifelong friends.

From left: Nesta Carter, Bridgitte Foster-Hylton, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Michael Frater, Danny McFarlane, Dwight Thomas and Melaine Walker pose after being presented with the Order of Distinction Officer Class yesterday at a special investiture ceremony held at the National Stadium in Kingston. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

“Is one of the best thing this mi ever si, whenever dem perform mi si crime cut so mi think the athletes should go into the garrison and go hol’ a vibe; it nice,” Solomon, a Kingstonian, told the Sunday Observer.

Meanwhile, triple world record holder Usain Bolt in a brief chat with the Sunday Observer could hardly find words to describe his emotions.

“It’s just great. I am enjoying it. It’s wonderful,” he said before being whisked away.

Kingstonian Charmaine Smith said she had enjoyed the brief ceremony to the hilt.

“It’s good. I go for everybody, all the athletes. At least the Government has done something good for them,” she said beaming.

Popular Jamaican actor Glen “Titus’ Campbell, a member of the team of organisers for the event, also took time to bask in the moment.

“I am very thrilled, it’s one of the times when I am very proud to be Jamaican,” he told the Sunday Observer.

American Carl Lewis questions Bolt’s Olympic performances

RSS — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:50:23 +0000

MIAMI, USA (CMC) – American Olympic legend Carl Lewis has raised stern doubts over Usain Bolt’s recent stunning performances but has stopped short of accusing the Jamaican sprint marvel of doping.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Lewis also lashed out at Jamaica’s drug-testing programme, saying that it too needed to be examined in light of the fact there was no random drug-testing of athletes.
“When people ask me about Bolt I say he could be the greatest athlete of all-time. But for someone to run 10.03 one year and 9.69 the next, if you don’t question that in a sport that has the reputation it has right now, you’re a fool. Period,” Lewis contended.
“I’m proud of America right now because we have the best random and most comprehensive drug-testing programme. Countries like Jamaica do not have a random programme so they can go months without being tested.
“No one is accusing Bolt, but don’t live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. How dare anybody feel that there shouldn’t be scrutiny, especially in our sport?”
Bolt raised eyebrows in Beijing last month when he jetted to World Record times in capturing three gold medals at the 29th Olympiad.
He clocked 9.69 seconds to win the 100 metres and returned to break American Michael Johnson’s 12-year-old, 200 metres record of 19.32 seconds with a new time of 19.30. In the process, Bolt became the first athlete in 24 years – Lewis was the last in 1984 – to win the coveted the sprint double.
The 22-year-old then crowned a fine outing with his third gold as a member of the Jamaica sprint relay team.
Bolt, along with the other Jamaican sprinters, were tested repeatedly at the Beijing Olympics but none of the results returned positive.
Lewis, the star of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics with four gold medals, said he also questioned Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown’s failure to make the 100 metres team for the recent Olympics.
“Veronica Campbell-Brown lives in the United States and has been transparent and consistent,” Lewis pointed out.
“She won the Worlds last year in the 100 metres and this year can’t even make the team. Are you going to tell me that shouldn’t be questioned?”
Dr Herb Elliott, the Jamaican team doctor who is also a member of the IAAF anti-doping commission, hit back saying: “They still think we don’t know anything down in Jamaica.
“I am the person who tests in Jamaica, and I tested Bolt 15 times between last November and December.”

Bolt runs 9.77 in cold, wet conditions for win Asafa runs 9.83 to take second

RSS — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:44:40 +0000

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — Usain Bolt rallied against cold, wind and Asafa Powell to win the 100 meters in 9.77 seconds Friday at the Van Damme Memorial.

Running against a strong headwind in his season finale, the three-time Olympic champion had a bad start and watched Powell go ahead. But Bolt pulled even with Powell and used his long strides to finish 0.08 off the world record he set at the Beijing Games.

Powell, the only runner to defeat Bolt this season, finished second in 9.83. Nesta Carter made it a Jamaican sweep in 10.07.

“Asafa is a really fast guy,” Bolt said. “I’m getting used to chasing him.”

Powell joined Bolt in the celebrations around the track after the race, cheered by the sellout crowd of 47,000 at the King Baudouin Stadium.

Pamela Jelimo won the Golden League’s $1 million jackpot, capturing her sixth straight 800 meters in meet-record time. High jumper Blanka Vlasic of Croatia lost for the first time in the series, ensuring Jelimo did not have to split the prize.

The 18-year-old Jelimo finished in 1:55.16, almost four seconds ahead of world champion and fellow Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei. Vlasic finished second to Ariane Friedrich of Germany.

Bolt said he was concerned about the cold weather, which registered 59 degrees at the start. He seemed frozen at the start, last out of the blocks.

Once Powell saw him next to him, he knew he was done.

“I came out to run fast. Usain really put on the pressure,” Powell said of Bolt, who won golds and set world records in the 100, 200 and 400-meter relay in Beijing.

While Bolt said goodbye for the season, it was farewell for good for double European sprint champion Kim Gevaert.

Before a cheering home crowd, she easily won the 100 in 11.25 ahead of Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas and Me’Lisa Barber of the United States. She received a minute-long standing ovation from the crowd.

Gevaert anchored the Belgian 400 relay a silver medal at the Olympics.

Paul Kipsiele Koech failed to qualify for Kenya’s Olympic team, but won the 3,000 steeplechase in 8:04.99. He was five seconds ahead of countryman and Olympic gold medalist Birman Kiprop Kipruto.

With Ethiopian Olympic champion and world record-holder Kenenisa Bekele taking a break, Beijing silver medalist Eliud Kipchoge led a sweep of Kenyans in the 5,000, finishing in 13:06.12 in the rain.

In the women’s 5,000, Meseret Defar sought to avenge her loss to Ethiopian teammate Tirunesh Dibaba in Beijing by recapturing the world record. Instead, Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya beat her in a sprint finish.

Delloreen Ennis-London clears her name linked to Sports Illustrated article

RSS — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:37:07 +0000

TWO-time world championship medallist, hurdler Delloreen Ennis-London has sought to clear her name following a report by SportsIllustrated.com this week which linked her to performance-enhancing drug in 2006.

In a letter received by the Observer bearing Ennis-London’s name, the two-time Olympian explained that she never used any banned substance.

The article, co-written by Luis Fernando Llosa and L Jon Wertheim, stated that the magazine obtained documents stating that between June 2006 and February 2007, two shipments of Somatropin (Human Growth Hormone, HGH) and one shipment of Triest (Estrogen) were sent to Ennis-London at a Texas address, while in November 2006 a shipment of Testosterone, Testosterone Aqueous, and Oxandrolone were sent to Adrian Findlay.

Below is the full text of Ennis-London’s reponse.
To my fans, supporters & the media:

In response to the story written in Sports Illustrated, I would like to clarify the situation once and for all. In May-June 2006, I experienced a severe female disorder. My local doctor was unable to find a solution, so I decided to seek alternative advice.

I explored several alternatives that led me to the AAG clinic in Miami which specialised in this type of disorder.

The doctor, Dr Shabanah, pointed out additional symptoms and short and long term problems if the bleeding continued. He informed me that this is common for females in my age group and the best and safest way to rectify the situation was to follow his protocol. He recommended several medications to treat the symptoms.

I informed Dr Shabanah that as a professional athlete, I am not allowed to ingest medication without first examining their ingredients. He assured me that the ingredients used to formulate this product are not illegal. I ordered the medication believing that it was not an illegal substance.

While I was in Europe, my husband received a package and opened it. He checked the contents of the package and found that one of the substances prescribed to treat the condition was on the IAAF prohibited list. My husband immediately disposed of the package, and contacted the clinic. He informed the clinic that ingredients in this product were not suitable for a professional athlete.

In February 2007, an unsolicited package arrived to my address. Recognising that it was from the same clinic, my husband immediately contacted the doctor and demanded that the credit card information be destroyed and ALL mail cease immediately. The doctor agreed, refunded the credit card and there was no further shipment. The second package was never opened but immediately disposed of. I have never laid eyes on either package’s contents.
I would like to stress that in nine years as a professional athlete I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs. I have been tested in and out of competition hundreds of times and have a 100 per cent clean record.

I want to say many thanks to all those who took the time to contact me or sent messages with your best wishes, family, friends and fans. I have found much comfort in your calls.

Delloreen Ennis-London

Bolt, Tyson, Powell to clash in 100m!!! – Powell is fully focused, Bolt is on fire and Tyson is seeking redemption

RSS — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:05:11 +0000

Usain Bolt will run the 100 metres in the fastest field ever assembled at the Van Damme Memorial tomorrow, seeking to break the world record for the third time this season.

The Olympic champion will face Asafa Powell, the former record-holder who matched the second fastest 100 of all time on Tuesday, and Tyson Gay, the world champion seeking to recapture his form after a hamstring injury.

“It is my last race” of the season, Bolt told reporters. “I’m definitely going out there to compete at my best.”

They are the three fastest men ever and have posted the 10 fastest 100 dashes ever run. Meet organizer Wilfried Meert said such a select field is unique.

“This has never happened before,” Meert said.
All eyes at the 50,000-capacity King Baudouin stadium will be on Bolt. The Jamaican won three gold medals and set three world records in Beijing last month to become the face of the games alongside swimming great Michael Phelps.

“Usain Bolt, we all know he is on fire right now,” Gay said.
On Friday, Bolt will be chasing his 100-metre mark of 9.69 seconds, which he set while slowing across the line and showboating over the last dozen metres. Some observers have said he could have gone below 9.6 if he had run hard all the way.

Friday’s meet gives Bolt a last chance to prove what he is really capable of. Yet he is also worried about ending the season without injury.

“I already got the biggest thing there is,” said the Olympic champion. “But it would be good to go out a winner.”
With the form he has shown since arriving from the Olympics, it should be good enough.

In Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday, he eased up well before the finish in his 200 and still tied the fourth-best 200 of all time at 19.63 seconds, just 0.33 of his world record of 19.30 in Beijing.

Last Friday, Bolt won the 100 in 9.83 seconds in the Weltklasse meet in Zurich, his first competition since Beijing.
With the pressure of big competition challenges off, fellow-Jamaican Powell is at his very best again. Powell ran 9.72 in Lausanne, equaling the former world record Bolt set in New York City last May.

Powell’s time was a personal best by two-hundredths and was one-tenth faster than his season’s best, run in Monaco before his relative loss of form on the Olympic stage where he finished fifth.

“I’m very happy, after all that I’ve been through this year,” Powell said.

It will force Bolt to stay fully focused.
“Now there will be more pressure for me, but I will do my best,” Bolt said.

Gay, who failed to make the final in Beijing, is still slowed by a lingering hamstring injury.

“I don’t think I am as sharp right now, considering my leg, to be very, very, competitive with those guys,” he said, indicating he could still decide to skip the highly anticipated race.

If no human can stop him, Bolt’s biggest obstacle might well be the weather.

Weather predictions call for downpours and Friday’s temperatures will peak at just 20°C (68°F) in the afternoon and will have cooled down considerably by the time Bolt lines up at 8.30 pm. (1830GMT).

“It will all depend on the weather and it doesn’t look too good,” Meert said. “It will be very difficult for the athletes that come out of the heat of Beijing.”

Bolt is scared the cold could stiffen his muscles to the point of causing injury.

“I don’t like cold weather, really, but this is a job,” he said.

Jamaicans destroys Super Gran Prix – Bolt, Powell, Fraser and Walker win big at Athletissima Super GP

RSS — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:52:27 +0000

Jamaicans Shelly-Ann Fraser (left) Sherone Simpson (second left) and Kerron Stewart (second right), as well as Lauryn Williams of the US, run the women’s 100m race at the Athletissima athletics meeting in the Stade Olympique in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CMC) – Jamaica’s Beijing hero Usain Bolt led a plethora of Jamaican victories at the Athletissima Super Grand Prix track and field meeting yesterday.

Easing considerably as he neared the finish, Bolt ran a fast 19.63 seconds to win the men’s 200 metres, while Asafa Powell delivered a blistering 100-metre victory and Olympic champions Melaine Walker and Shelly-Ann Fraser also recorded wins at the meet.

It was a Caribbean one-two in the men’s half-lap sprint as Churandy Martina, of the Netherlands Antilles, chased Bolt home in 20.24 seconds. American Wallace Spearmon was third in 20.54 seconds.

Jamaican Usain Bolt celebrates after winning the men’s 200 m race at the Athletissima athletics meeting in the Stade Olympique in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday.

Bolt’s time equals the fourth fastest time ever over the distance, but was well off his own world record 19.30 seconds at the Beijing Olympics last month.

Powell had logged a fast career-best 9.72 seconds earlier to win the men’s 100 metres.

Jamaican Asafa Powell (right) runs to win the men’s 100m race at the Athletissima athletics meeting in the Stade Olympique in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday. At left runs Trinidad’s Richard Thompson. (Photos: AP)

His time equals the second fastest ever run – matching Bolt’s effort at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York in May – over the distance, and was only 0.03 seconds outside Bolt’s current world mark of 9.69 seconds.

Powell had held the world 100-metre record from June 2005 – with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds – until Bolt’s sudden rise this year.

Powell’s superb run brought again into sharp focus his brilliance on the circuit compared to huge flops at major meets.

Britain’s Tasha Danvers (left), Jamaican Melanie Walker (centre) and US Tiffany Williams-Ross run the women’s 400m hurdles race at the Athletissima athletics meeting in the Stade Olympique in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday.

Just two weeks ago at the Beijing Olympics, Powell lined up as one of the gold medal favourites in the men’s 100-metre final, but finished fifth.

A year ago, after a shockingly disappointing third-placed finish at the Osaka World Championship, Powell returned to the circuit to smash his own 100-metre world record with a 9.74 run at in Rieti.

“I’ve got no idea why I’m always winning on the circuit but then finishing fifth at the Olympics,” said Powell, who was also fifth in the Athens Olympic final in 2004.

“Who knows? Maybe I’m not the guy for those big championships, but just the guy to compete in the Grand Prix and Golden League meetings. It’s just unfortunate,” added Powell, who emphatically flogged a quality field yesterday.

American Walter Dix (9.92) was second, with Jamaica’s Olympic sprint relay gold medallists Nesta Carter (9.98) and Michael Frater (10.04) third and fourth, respectively.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Marc Burns was fifth in 10.06, with Kittitian ex-world champion Kim Collins (10.19) sixth and T&T’s Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson (10.21) seventh.

Fraser, the surprise Olympic champion, rebounded from her loss at Sunday’s British Grand Prix to win a competitive 100-metre sprint, and Walker continued to look unbeatable in the women’s 400-hurdles after her Beijing triumph.

Fraser stopped the clock at 11.03 seconds, edging her Jamaican teammate Kerron Stewart (11.06) with American Marshavet Hooker (11.09).

Bahamians Chandra Sturrup (11.14) and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie (11.23), and Jamaican Sherone Simpson (11.31) finished fifth, seventh and eighth, respectively.

Walker posted one of her quickest times this year as she clocked 53.73 seconds for an easy win, chased by Poland’s Anna Jesien (54.76) and Britain’s Tasha Danvers (54.79) in a repeat top-three placing of Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
Jamaicans copped both sections of the women’s 400 metres.
Beijing silver medallist Shericka Williams landed Race 1 in 50.47 seconds and Novlene Williams topped Race 2 field in 50.33 seconds.

Olympic champions lost both sprint hurdles and finished second as Jamaican Delloreen Ennis-London landed the women’s 100-metre race in 12.60 seconds over American Dawn Harper (12.63), while Cuban Dayron Robles (13.17) was beaten by American David Oliver in the 110-metre hurdles.

Oliver clocked 13.02 seconds to win ahead of Robles, with Jamaican Richard Phillips third in 13.45 seconds.
In the men’s 400 metres, Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt won with authority in 43.98 seconds ahead of American teammate Angelo Taylor (44.38).

Jamaican Sanjay Ayre (45.65) and T&T’s Ato Stephens (45.74) placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Brazilian Jadel Gregorio emerged champion in the triple jump at 17.30 metres and Bahamian Olympic bronze medallist Leevan Sands took the runner-up spot at 17.13 metres.

Jamaican Olympians under fire by Sports Illustrate’s article

RSS — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:34:51 +0000

I have just read an article on the Internet that claims to have evidence of banned substances being used by Jamaican Olympians Adrian Findlay and Delloreen Ennis-London. The article was co-written by Luis Fernando Llosa and L Jon Wertheim which stated that SI (Sports Illustrate) obtained documents of transactions for the banned substances by the athletes. Llosa, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Toronto in Canada, is an investigative reporter for Sports Illustrated and told the Observer that he had been involved in a two-year investigation of the use of steroids in sport, especially baseball and said former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield had also been part of his investigations.

Now take a step back and think before say another word. Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics Jamaica has become a target for the international media and those sceptics who up to this day do not believe that Jamaica has naturally talented athletes who train hard with great pride and determination to represent their country. When I see stories like the Sports Illustrate’s article I just shake my head in disbelief and great disgust. People in the media don’t give a damn about people’s life and family, a story like this just makes things even worse for us Jamaicans. I don’t care what people want to say about Jamaicans we dominate the sprints and now everyone is acting surprise when we break records and take gold medals. Thanks a lot Sports Illustrate for upsetting thousands of Jamaicans especially Dresonic readers.

On a more positive note Delloreen Ennis-London won the women’s 100m hurdles at the Super Grand Prix in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Keep yu head up Delloreen and Adrian!!!!!

Jamaica Destroys 4×100m World Record To Take Gold – Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Nester Carter and Usain Bolt

RSS — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:05:38 +0000

The Jamaican men’s 4×100m relay team that consists of Asafa Powell (former 100m world record holder), Usain Bolt(current 100m world record holder), Nesta Carter and long time sprint sensation Michael Frater finished first in the finals of the 4×100m relays to claim the golden position with a world record breaking time of 37.10. There was almost no competition for the Jamaican super sprint team as they blew away the rest of the field and won by some estimated 15 meters. Jamaica was the favorite going into the finals but they proved to be more than that. With such an unspeakable performance the question is ask: where is the limit for Jamaica? Answer: No limits!!!!!!

Nesta Carter who did not get to participate in the 200m or the 100m rounds showed his commitment to Jamaica by rising to the occasion when duty calls and is now one of the 4 gold medalist. Michael Frater who came behind Asafa Powell in the 100m finals is now a proud gold medal holder as well, Frater is one of those athletes you can never hate. He is always there for Jamaica through thick and thin and we really respect that from him. Frater had his rein in the sprinting realm for Jamaica when sub 11 were the times to have, but he showed great deliverance at this year’s 2008 Olympics as he broke his personal best record in the sub 11 region.

We are all happy to see that Asafa can smile now with ease as he came through for Jamaica on the anchor leg. If Asafa ran the 100m finals the way he ran the anchor leg of the 4×100, there is no doubt in my mind that he and Bolt would be battling neck and neck for the 100m title. But as they say, that’s in the past. I am very happy to see Asafa bringing home a gold from this year’s Beijing Olympics because he truly deserves it. We all have our personal thoughts about him in the 100m but lets forget that and focus on the future, don’t pressure Asafa he is still the man that putted Jamaica on the map.

Jamaica has shown its strength to the world, and now many teams will go back to the drawing boards to try and beat us, there is only one problem with that, they can’t beat what is naturally in our blood and God given. Our little island of Jamaica is blessed and we should realize it. We have many of the elite athletes in track and field that proves to the world over and over; Jamaica a Numba One!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melanie Walker wins 400m hurdles for Jamaica – The Golden Rein Continues

RSS — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:55:41 +0000

Melanie Walker took gold in the women’s 400m hurdler to beat out rival Sheena Tosta of the United States. Up to 300m Sheena Tosta looked good but Melanie Walkie who was the favorite coming into the race put out a great fight to surge pass Tosta in great Jamaican sprinting style. Tosta who ran out of lane 5 had the advantage of pacing Melanie Walker who ran out of lane 6. Melanie now joins the already outstanding performances for Jamaica and had now added her gold medal to bring up the gold medal count for our little island of Jamaica.

Jamaica has been dominating sprinting events since the beginning of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has shown great talent and heart in all specific events.

Veronica Campbell-Brown defends her 200m title – Another gold for Jamaica!!!!!!

RSS — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:24:11 +0000

Veronica Campbell who currently has the top 200m times in world continues “Jamaica’s dominance in the sprints” at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Veronica who did not make it for the 100m came back with vengeance to defend her 200m title that she won in the 2004 Olympics. Even though Veronica did not make the 100m she proved the saying “down but not out,” and she definitely showed heart. Allyson Felix who got second was no threat to Veronica, from the start of the gun Veronica was flying like air-Jamaica.

Kerron Stewart got third and has been doing well, being that this is her first Olympics. Sherone Simpson who has been battling injuries for several months now got sixth. The Jamaican sprint teams are looking positive for the 4×100 relays and hopefully will take gold in both women and men without a shadow of a doubt.

Go Jamaica, we are proud of you Veronica for bringing pride to our island. We love you.