A perfect example of the saying “lickle but talawa” has to be the Jamaicans at the eighteen Commonwealth Games in Melbourne Australia between 15 and 26 March. A record 22 medals, 10 gold, 4 silver and 8 bronze. The Jamaicans created history in the Track and Fields events winning both the men and the women gold medals in the 100 m, 200m, 100m hurdles and 4 X 100m relay. “Chat bout brilliant”.
Jamaica first competed in the Commonwealth games in 1934 in London and came away with 2 medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Our second entry in 1954 in Vancouver yielded only 1 medal, a gold. At the sixth Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958 Jamaica won a total of 7 medals, 4 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze. Since then the maximum number of gold medals ever won by Jamaica was 4 in 1970, 1998 and 2002. In 1966 the eight Commonwealth Games were held in Jamaica. That year Jamaica got 12 medals, 4 silver and 8 bronze, but no gold. The seventeenth Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 had been our best year with a medal tally of 17, 4 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze.

Follow up:

Jamaica’s Medal tally for previous Common wealth games entered:

Out of a field of 71 countries Jamaica placed second in athletics and seventh over all in the XVIII Commonwealth Games in Melbourne Australia. Although most of our medals were won in the track and field events Jamaica also excelled in the field events. Many of our athletes who did not win a medal did personal best times, which is more than we could ask for.
Being an avid netball fan my favourite moments throughout the games has to be the netball match between Jamaica and host Australia. The Australians dominated most of the match however the Sunshine Girls played a brilliant last quarter ending the match on a draw 54 – 54.
Once again Jamaica has proven to the world just how great a people we are. With all our many challenges when it comes to the test we always rise to the occasion. I pray that the victory at the XVIII Commonwealth Games will inspire every Jamaican with pride of country and belief in ourselves.
Nuff Love

Medal Winners for Jamaica at the XVIII Commonwealth games.