Sprint legend Quarrie says team support boosted Jamaica

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Christine Day, Rosemarie Whyte, Shericka Williams, Novlene Williams-Mills of Jamaica celebrate winning bronze

Kingston (Jamaica), Aug 22 – Legendary Jamaican sprinter Donald Quarrie says team support played a significant part in his country’s record medal haul at the London Olympics.

Quarrie, regarded as one of the finest sprinters in the history of track and field, has applauded the athletes for the way they supported each other during the Games, reports CMC

Jamaica won a record 12 medals — four gold, four silver and four bronze — eclipsing the 11 medals won four years ago in Beijing.

“They supported each other, even those who did not make it were available to support, cheer and were very happy when we were successful,” said Quarrie, technical director of the Jamaican contingent at the Games.

“The team I think, had great support from each other… the camaraderie at the training camp was superb, the fact that we had great security helped us.”

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – MAY 04: Donald Quarrie (l) of Jamaica the 1976 200m Olympic champion poses alongside Howard Oris (r) President of Jamaica Athletics Association

Jamaica’s medals tally at the Olympics includes two individual gold medals from star sprinter Usain Bolt in the 100 and 200 metres as well as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who defended her 100m title and also took silver in the women’s 200m.

Quarrie, who competed in five Olympic games, says he will continue to encourage the country’s young athletes such as Warren Weir, Hansel Parchment, Shermaine Williams and Traves Smikle who represented Jamaica for the first time at the international stage.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake of Jamaica celebrate

“The young athletes who did quite well, who came here got great experience, and they are our future” said Quarrie whose career reached a high point in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal when he captured the gold in the 200m and the silver in the 100m.

“This is the beginning, now you have to get going to make a name for yourself, work harder and get ready for the next Olympic” Quarrie told Jamaica’s young athletes.