VCB, Gonzales top them

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

National 400m record holder Jermaine Gonzales and World Indoor 60m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown walked away with the male and female athletes of the year awards at yesterday afternoon's Scotiabank-sponsored Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) Golden Cleats Awards function at Terra Nova Hotel All Suite Hotel in St Andrew.

Bertland 'Bert' Cameron, the 1983 IAAF World Championships 400m gold medallist, was also named the coach of the year at the luncheon, for his work with Gonzales, whom he conditions at the Racers Track Club.

Chairman of the selection committee, Bernie Panton, who said that deliberations went "down to the wire", admitted that it was a challenging task to arrive at the final decision.

Gonzales, who erased Roxbert Martin's 13-year mark of 44.49 seconds to establish a new record of 44.40 while competing on the circuit in Monaco, was extremely happy with the award and was quick to pay homage Cameron.

"It's good, it's always good when you work hard and people appreciate the hard work so I'm extremely happy and I'm feeling good to be accepting this award," said Gonzales. "Wow, he (Cameron) has done so much for me personally, and to see him accept this award I'm very happy for him and I want to congratulate him as well."

Honoured

Campbell-Brown was also in high spirits after receiving her award, on the back of an exceptional season, which saw her posting the fastest time in both the 100m (10.78 seconds) and 200m (21.98 seconds). Campbell-Brown also had huge success at the top of the year, winning the 60m in 7.00 seconds flat at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Said Campbell-Brown: "I'm honoured, it's great to be recognised like this. As athletes, we work very hard, and there is always fierce competition. Jamaica has so many extremely talented athletes so I'm very honoured.

"I'm extremely thankful for the way 2010 went, I'm blessed and I'm happy for everything. I'm determined to continue training hard and continue to run fast. Last year was a great year, I couldn't have asked for anything more but to make my country proud, my husband, my family and my friends," Campbell-Brown added.

Cameron is no stranger to accolades, having conquered the world in Helsinki in the 400m event. There was, however, no doubt that this award meant a lot to him, particularly because of the fact that he was sharing his success with his protégé Gonzales.

"This means more than I can ever find words to say. To see someone as deserving as Gonzales and to know that I played a part in his success, this is what comes with hard work and my goal is to see him reach the very top," Cameron said.

Finally turning his attention to his own award, Cameron accepted that it was all due to the development of Gonzales.

"This award to me is because of Jermaine (Gonzales) and it's because of the work that we both put in. It certainly means a whole lot," said Cameron.

Gonzales' long-time friend and manager, Clive 'Busy' Campbell, was also pleased with the develop-ment of the former Tacius Golding High School student.

"We have been through a lot and have endured a lot but we always kept faith and I'm really proud today to see that he has achieved what he has," said Campbell.