Jamaica’s golden boy Odean Skeen strikes gold again

Jamaica’s golden boy Odean Skeen strikes gold again



Singapore


August 23, 2010

Jamaica’s golden boy Odean Skeen captured his second gold medal at the World Youth Olympics in Singapore. Sheen was running the second leg (200) metres on the Americas medley relay team, which won the event in 1:51.38 seconds yesterday. Europe posted 1:52.11 seconds to claim the silver medal in the medley relay, while Oceania won the bronze in 1:52.71 seconds.

The other members of the winning Americas medley relay team included long jump champion Carlos dos Santos of Brazil, who ran the opening 100 metres leg; the United States' Najee Glass, who ran the third leg (300m); and the Dominica Republic's Lugelin Santos, the boys' 400m individual gold medallist, who ran the anchor leg over the same distance (400m).

On Saturday, August 22, 2010, Odean Skeen elevated the spirits and hopes of Jamaicans when he struck gold in the boy’s 100m, clocking 10.42-seconds. Skeen was the only Jamaican to win an individual gold medal at the Games.

The Americas team actually registered a double in the relays, as their female counterparts won in 2:05.62. Africa finished second in 2:06.19 and Europe took the bronze in 2:07.09.

The Americas female team included The Bahamas duo of Tynia Gaither and Rashan Brown, who ran the 200 and 300-metre legs, respectively; the United States' Myasia Jacob, who ran the opening 100 metres leg; and individual female 400m champion, Robin Reynolds, who ran the anchor-leg.

Instead of athletes participating for their countries in the relays, they had to compete for Continental Area teams, which included Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) long jumper, Rochelle Farqhuarson, despite a season-best 12.57 metres, finished fourth in the girls' A Final missing the podium. The event favourite, Khadijalou Sagnia of Sweden, captured the gold with a personal best of 13.56 metres, with France Sokhina Galle taking silver with 13.04. The Ukraine Gemma Aleksandrosa leapt 12.64 to claim the bronze medal.