“One, Two, Three!” Jamaicans thrilled by their women sprinters’ Olympic run · Global Voices
Emma Lewis

Flag of Jamaica; public domain via Wikimedia Commons
After a somewhat anxious week as a COVID-19 “third wave” appeared to be gaining momentum, the Tokyo Olympics were a welcome distraction for many Jamaicans feeling oppressed by tightened curfew hours. Jamaicans’ interest became more focused, with patriotic fervor rising, and when the track events began, Twitter came alive.
As sports fans set their alarms for the events on Saturday morning Jamaica time, many prepared in advance with the appropriate gear.
Public relations practitioner Jean Lowrie-Chin, who would normally be waving the Jamaican flag in person at Olympics events, dressed accordingly, wishing she were there this time:
My heart is in Tokyo ?????? pic.twitter.com/SI0lss0jZA
— J A Lowrie-Chin (@LowrieChin) July 30, 2021
Her husband Hubie was ready to make some noise with the “Dutch pot” covers—a traditional Jamaican way to celebrate:
He's ready for the 100M – @chinhubert ????#TeamJamaica ?????? pic.twitter.com/M5R6tupSio
— J A Lowrie-Chin (@LowrieChin) July 31, 2021
Retired Jamaican sprinting icon Usain Bolt’s absence in Tokyo had been duly noted in the international press, but this time there were high hopes for the women. These hopes were realized when Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson raced across the finish line in first, second, and third places in the Women’s 100 meter final on July 31.
Moreover, Thompson-Herah broke American sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner (Flo Jo’s) 1988 Olympic record with a time of 10.61 seconds, making her the second-fastest woman ever:
In case you missed it: Olympic Champion Elaine Thompson-Herah blazed across the finish line to cop the second-fastest 100m time in history. Her final time was 10.61 secs, a new Olympic record, breaking Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 10.62 mark from the 1988 Olympics. #ToykoGoldRush pic.twitter.com/1uJUEdcZrP
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2021
Thompson-Herah herself, who like Bolt hails from rural Jamaica, tweeted:
Just a lil girl from BANANA GROUND who liked to run. Believe In your dreams work hard and have faith in God…ETH pic.twitter.com/UrR7UuGZGO
— Elaine Thompson Herah (@FastElaine) July 31, 2021
In a high-spirited video shared by the Jamaica Gleaner, Thompson-Herah’s grandmother celebrated the victory (complete with biblical references) from her living room, and was already anticipating a win in the 200-meter race, which her granddaughter will be competing in:
Gloria Thompson, the grandmother of Olympic 100m champion @FastElaine, was ecstatic this morning as she watched the final of the women's 100m from her hometown in Banana Ground, Manchester. It's a win Thompson had predicted and she is looking for a repeat in the 200m. pic.twitter.com/VV6nJbVavF
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2021
Thompson-Herah's father and friends celebrated raucously at his barbershop in the mid-island town of Mandeville, while one young man quietly waited for his haircut:
#TokyoGoldRush: Keith Thompson, proud father of @FastElaine, reacts alongside friends to his daughter's record breaking win inside his Barbershop in Mandeville, Manchester. – Nathaniel Stewart video #Tokyo2020 #TokyoOlympics #GLNRSports pic.twitter.com/zpZg5GAiU6
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) July 31, 2021
An exuberant Usain Bolt and a few friends tweeted an impromptu dance party in honor of the women. He was at home in Jamaica (the proud father of newborn twins):
It’s A Party here in Jamaica ?? after the brilliant 123 of our girls ???‍♂️??#itsaparty ??✨
??????https://t.co/seJj01Oeez pic.twitter.com/g4RlWAVtqX
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 31, 2021
Prime Minister Andrew Holness reacted proudly on Twitter:
Proud cya done! #TeamJamaica 1,2,3 ?????? Congratulations to our women for a scintillating finals! Elaine Thompson Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson! Let's continue to make history! #Jaminate #TokyoOlympics2020 ???#SuperPower pic.twitter.com/Udel8uKSU2
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) July 31, 2021
Sports Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange tweeted from Tokyo:
(3/3) I am so happy as the Minister of Sport and I am sure all of Jamaica shares my joy. At home the pans and pots would have sounded. pic.twitter.com/Pl6ZnniIlV
— Hon.Olivia Grange (@Babsy_grange) July 31, 2021
A Jamaican sports journalist in Tokyo underlined the women’s achievement:
Jamaica’s dominance in the women’s 100m at the Olympics is mind-blowing. 10 of the 12 medals won since 2008 and every single gold since then have been won by Jamaicans. 16 of 30 medals since 1984 have also went to Jamaican women. DOMINATE
— Andre Lowe (@AndreLoweJA) July 31, 2021
Economist and commentator Damien King found himself speechless, for once:
I talk for a living. Words fail me. #Women100m #elaine #Shellyann #sherika #finals #GladBagBuss pic.twitter.com/VjJpa2vhMu
— Damien King (@DamienWKing) July 31, 2021
Having recovered, King had done some calculations:
Words found. Well, numbers anyway: Jamaica contains 0.035% of the world's population. From 2008, it has won 83% of the women's 100m medals. That is, of 12 medals, we've allowed all the other countries in the world to take home only two (silvers). ? #Women100m #Jaminate
— Damien King (@DamienWKing) July 31, 2021
The highly touted young American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who was removed from the U.S. team after testing positive for marijuana, tweeted in solidarity with the Jamaican trio after announcing her intention to host an Instagram Live session:
Congratulations to the ladies of Jamaica for the clean sweep. Powerful, strong black women dominating the sport. ✨
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itskerrii) July 31, 2021
On a style note, the wearing of colorful wigs once again made an impact. Silver medal winner and former Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is famous for hers—and for the final, turned up in a vibrant gold wig. One Jamaican quipped:
Shelly’s wig is about to cross the finish line before some a dem #Olympics #Tokyo2020 #TeamJamaica??
— YT: Life Lessons With Jason (@TheJCDB) July 31, 2021
The sprinters’ style met with approval generally:
I love that black women at the Olympics are being bold, wearing colored wigs, long nails, butterfly lashes and then winning ? #Olympics
— Wanza (@Ms_Wanza) July 31, 2021
Meanwhile, as Jamaicans bathed in the afterglow of the “one, two, three” win, vaccination centres across the island were opening. On the previous afternoon, 300,000 doses had arrived from the UK, ending a worrying vaccine “drought,” and were immediately dispatched to centres across the island. The Ministry of Health and Wellness aims to have 150,000 Jamaicans vaccinated in a week. One government minister observed:
Imagine if everyone used this same national pride and went out this weekend to get vaccinated??! PARENTS, you also owe it to ur children, their teachers & everyone you & they will come into contact with to get vaccinated. One Jamaica??. We all in this together #vaccinateJa
— Alando N. Terrelonge, MA, MP #StrongwithTerrelonge (@terrelonge2016) July 31, 2021
In a charming pictorial thread, cultural commentator Wayne Chen noted:
We will have tales of heroes to tell our grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/Oa7stGriNn
— Wayne Chen (@wcchen) July 31, 2021
Beijing 2008. Jamaica is now the only country with two sweeps. pic.twitter.com/cJl58mFW3q
— Wayne Chen (@wcchen) July 31, 2021
pic.twitter.com/b5PLSw22j3
— Wayne Chen (@wcchen) July 31, 2021
And a Jamaican graphic designer on Twitter shared his depiction of Thompson-Herah gently lifting the “sprint queen” crown from Fraser-Pryce's head:
From one queen to the next. pic.twitter.com/OOERwb7UlE
— BetweenTwoLungs (@TusonWalters) July 31, 2021
Sandals International Resorts jumped on board with a reward for the three young women:
Sandals Resorts announces complimentary vacations for Jamaican sprint queens https://t.co/RybkI8oxhR
— Sandals Resorts (@SandalsResorts) July 31, 2021
Usain Bolt himself summed it up succinctly in a tweet:
1.2.3 ??????
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) July 31, 2021
As Jamaicans prepare to celebrate Emancipation Day on Sunday, August 1 and the national holiday on Monday, perhaps there will be more excitement in store. Meanwhile, the euphoria will take a while to quieten down. There is a feeling in Jamaica that it is time for some good news.