“I have expressed to them my own continued support and that of all of Jamaica and encouraged them to keep working hard and to persevere despite the obstacles,” Miss Grange said.

The Sport Minister said that she was assured that team spirit in the camp is high in spite of some of the disappointments.

She said it should be remembered that the current team is mainly a young one and there were indeed some achievements worthy of note to go with Omar McLeod’s gold medal, Usain Bolt’s bronze medal, Ristananna Tracey’s courageous performance in the 400m hurdles which earned her and Jamaica’s second bronze medal and Danniel Thomas-Dodd just missing out on a shot-put bronze.

“We had women in the 400m finals, two men in the discus finals...one in the 5000m finals as well as a women’s steeplechase finallist. And I believe we will pick up more medals in the relays that are to come.”

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