Kingston, 3 August 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has hailed the historic performance of Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah in the Olympic Games.

Thompson-Herah won the women’s 200 metres on Tuesday in Tokyo in 21.53 seconds, a new national record.

The Jamaican finished ahead of Christine Mboma of Namibia (21.81) and Gabriella Thomas of the USA (21.87).

The other Jamaican in the final, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, finished fourth in 21.94 seconds.

With today’s win, Thompson-Herah becomes the first woman to win both the 100 and 200 metres at separate Olympic Games after also taking the sprint double at Rio 2016.

Minister Grange said:
“Elaine is such an amazing athlete. It is such a pleasure to watch her run. All of Jamaica is proud of this new record that she has achieved — the only woman to successfully defend both the 100 and 200 metres at an Olympics. She is definitely one of the greats. And I’m so excited to see what else she will do, because I believe she has a lot more in her.

I also wish to congratulate Shelly-Ann on a very valiant effort. We continue to be proud of the way that Elaine, and Shelly-Ann, and Natoya, and all members of Team Jamaica are representing our country in Tokyo.”

Jamaica’s Natoya Goule finished 8th in the women’s 800 metres.

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Kingston, 31 July 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has praised Jamaican women sprinters, led by Elaine Thompson-Herah, for sweeping the medals in the 100 metres at the Tokyo Olympic games in Japan on Saturday (today).

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah defended her Olympic title by setting a new championship and Jamaican record time of 10.61 seconds in the final to become the second fastest woman on the all-time list.

Thompson-Herah won ahead of compatriots Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.74) and Shericka Jackson (10.76) who ran her personal best time.

Minister Grange said it was one of the greatest achievements in Jamaica’s sports history.

The Minister said:
“My tears flow for a grateful nation. Jamaica leads the world in female sprint. I want to congratulate Elaine Thompson-Herah on successfully defending her Olympic title.

She has made our small nation extremely proud once again, winning gold in a new Olympic Record of 10.61 and becoming the second fastest woman of all time. I am overwhelmed.

I want to also congratulate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on her silver medal. She worked very hard and she’s deserving of being on the podium.

I also congratulate Shericka Jackson on winning the bronze. Again, I have to commend her. She has really shone and she has really made us proud.

So, for the second time in Olympic history, Jamaica has swept the podium places. What a great nation!

I’m so happy as the Minister of Sport and I’m sure all of Jamaica shares my joy. At home the pans and the pots would have sounded.

Clean sweep Team Jamaica."

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The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said she was “honoured to witness Elaine Thompson’s glory” after the Jamaican sprinter won the women’s 200 metres gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this evening.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated the new Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson and the bronze medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce.