By Lincoln Depradine
The victory by Kirani James, and the sixth placed finish by Rondell Bartholomew in the 400 meters in the just-concluded World Championships in South Korea, enabled Grenada to emerge with 11 points and 29th in the IAAF’s ranking of 64 competing nations.
Altogether, the Caribbean – including Cuba and Puerto Rico – picked up 19 medals. Jamaica was the best-performing Caribbean country with 101 points from nine medals: four gold, four silvers and a bronze.
The United States led all competitors with 251 points and 25 medals. The U.S. was followed by Russia which grabbed 19 medals, and Kenya had 17.
Other than Jamaica, the only other Caribbean country to win gold was Grenada.
However, the Caribbean’s overall tally was aided by silver and bronze medals from Cuba, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, the Bahamas, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Cuba won four medals – a silver and three bronze; and St. Kitts & Nevis captured two bronze. Other athletes from the Caribbean that made it to the podium secured single bronze medals.
Africa’s total medal count was 30. This includes Kenya’s 17, as well as five from Ethiopia; four from South Africa; and one each Botswana, Sudan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.
At the bottom of the championships’ ranking – at 64th place – were Algeria, Venezuela and Uzbekistan. The best showings by their athletes were eighth placed finishes.
Caribbean athletes ended the track and field games, which were organized by the International Amateur Athletic Federation, as champions in the 100, 200 and 400 meters in the men’s category. They are Jamaican Yohan Blake in the 100; compatriot Usain Bolt in the 200; and James of Grenada in the 400.
Among women, Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown was first in the 200 meters. In the 100, she finished second and third was Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad & Tobago.
Bolt and Blake team up with Nesta Carter and Michael Frater on Sunday for the final race of the World Championships, the men’s 4X4 100-meter relay. The Jamaicans won in a new world record time of 37.04 seconds. France finished second and St. Kitts & Nevis was third.
James’ 44.60 victory at the IAAF championships – the first outdoor track title by a Grenadian – is one of the agenda items of a cabinet meeting of government ministers scheduled for Monday, September 5.
Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and his cabinet colleagues will consider recommendations on how best to honour 19-year-old James, Bartholomew and 200 meter sprinter Janelle Redhead.
Prior to James, Grenada’s greatest feat in track was accomplished by Alleyne Francique, a former two-time 400 meter indoor world champion.
Francique, now an assistant coach at Texas A&M University in the United States, also placed fourth at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Now 35, Francique’s personal best time was 44.47 seconds.
