Campbell-Brown says goodbye

President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Christopher Samuda, said the retired sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, will be remembered as one of the greatest female sprinters of all time, after she announced yesterday that she was hanging up her spikes after competing for over two decades at the international senior level.

Campbell-Brown, 39, who is one of the most decorated female sprinters of all time, announced her retirement from international track and field on her official Instagram account.

Regarded as one of the first stars in Jamaica’s golden era of athletics, spanning the early 2000s into the mid- 2010s, Campbell-Brown closes her career having won 19 medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships level and 34 as a senior athlete for Jamaica, including back-to-back 200m Olympic gold.

She also won World Championships gold in the 100m at the 2007 Osaka instalment and gold in the 200m at the 2011 event in Daegu.

“A life in sport dedicated to service to her country with self-sacrificial love which earned her indisputable credentials on the track,” said Samuda. “More than the gold she garnered at several international events was her commitment to pioneer for the good of successive generations. Her value transcends her admirable imprints on the track and resides in the lessons she has taught and will give to those who have the courage to follow in her strides.”

Samuda underscored that Campbell-Brown’s achievements were second to none and, therefore, her legacy would live on forever.

“Her Olympic career, particularly her 200m achievements, is an example to aspiring athletes, and many will recall her victories in Athens and Beijing, which captured our hearts and ignited national pride,” Samuda added.

FRASER-PRYCE HAILS CAMPBELL-BROWN

Another Jamaican sprinting icon, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, also took to social media to hail Campbell-Brown.

“Thanks for leading the way @VCampbellBrown!! Carrying the torch and continuing the legacy for Jamaica,” Fraser-Pryce posted to her official Twitter account.

In announcing her retirement, Campbell-Brown stated that she was thrilled with her achievements over the years and pointed out that she would continue to focus on her foundation as well as her line of fitness products and motivational speaking engagements.

“What a journey it has been! Through the grace of God, I have climbed from a small town in Trelawny, Jamaica, up the ladder of success to become one of the most decorated women in the Olympic Games and World Championships history,” Campbell-Brown said.

“All glory to the Lord for my successes. He blessed me with the talent, the will to stay focused, and the requisite work ethics. Additionally, He placed authentic and supportive people in my life who served as pillars of strength as I manoeuvred the highs and lows which littered my athletic career,” she said.

Campbell-Brown’s announcement came on International Olympic Day and one day before the start of Jamaica’s Olympic Trials.

“As I take off my spikes never to put them on again, this girl from Clarks Town walks away happy and contented with a race well run,” Campbell-Brown continued.