Where it really counts we will win - Hemmings

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Deon Hemmings-McCatty, who has the enviable record of being the first-ever Jamaican woman to win an Olympic Games gold medal, is not the least perturbed by recent triumphs of American Carmelita Jeter over Jamaica's top female sprinters.

Jeter has, since last year's World Championships in Berlin, got the better of World and Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, Kerron Stewart and Veronica Campbell-Brown, but Hemmings-McCatty believes Jamaican athletes will come out on top when it really matters.

"I think our athletes know when to peak, I think our coaches know what's the best time for them to peak," said Hemmings-McCatty, who won the 1996 Atlanta 400 metres hurdles in a Games record 52.82 seconds. "I think when the time is right our athletes will perform.

"Now, Carmelita may beat them because it is a transition phase, they peak at the right time and they perform and get us the medals. So I don't think there is a rivalry at all, where it really counts we will win. You need to run it when it really counts, that's what is important," she added.

Top-level coaches

Hemmings-McCatty, who was speaking at the launch of the Bigga/Jamaica Independent Schools Association Inter-Prep Track and Field Championships at the Sts Peter and Paul Prep School on Tuesday, attributes Jamaica's success to the fact that the island's athletes are being prepared at home by top-level coaches.

"What has happened is that we have more advanced coaches, thanks to Frano (Stephen Francis) and Mr (Glen) Mills who have advanced to that other level, we don't have to have these athletes going abroad anymore," said Hemmings-McCatty. "The athletes don't have to go to the United States and run six, seven events for their schools to win, but they can stay here and the coaches nurture them, and I think it is better to have them here in their own country where you can focus on them and have them do better," she added.

The former York Castle and Vere Technical High School student is very pleased with the representation that her pet event, the 400m hurdles, is getting.

"I think it is in good hands. It will be in good hands, too, with those coming up after (Olympic champion) Melaine Walker. It is going well and I am happy for them, and I like when it stays at home."