Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has given the Jamaican women sprinters a score of 10 out of 10 for their performances at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Jamaica’s women secured six of the 10 medals won by the country at the 10-day championships which ended on Sunday. They were also responsible for both gold medals won by Jamaica, five of the six medals available in the women’s 100m and 200m, as well as the silver in the women’s 4x100m relays.

Fraser-Pryce won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m, while Shericka Jackson won gold in the 200m and silver in the 100m. Back-to-back double Olympic Games champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who made it to both sprint finals in Eugene, claimed bronze in the 100m.

“I would give them a grade of 10,” Fraser-Pryce, 35, said after the relay final on Saturday, which closed out a tough schedule for the women sprinters.

“For so long I think the world, in general, underestimated us as females and we are finally getting that recognition that we deserve.

“And I am glad that we are able to do that and to show the world that as women we are strong, we are gifted, and we deserve the same credit as the men because we work just as hard as them and we show up, we represent, and we deliver,” the five-time World Championships 100m champion said.

“I am glad that we are able to lead Team Jamaica as females the way we have done, and we are hoping that it will inspire not just the ladies but the men to follow suit,” she added.

Shanieka Ricketts won Jamaica’s only field events medal when she captured the silver in the women’s triple jump, while the Jamaican men secured their medal, a silver in the 4x400m relays, on the final day.

— Paul A Reid