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The great Veronica Campbell-Brown
Tue Jun 16, 2009 08:27
In athletics circle, the name Veronica Campbell-Brown is synonymous with history. To be clear, not being a part of history but creating it! Born and raised in rural Jamaica in the parish of Trelawny, there was no family genes (but for a brief foray by her father Cecil Campbell who inherited the nickname “Honda” for his exploits), no cutting-edge equipment and or facilities serving as portent of the success to follow.
By sheer determination, natural talent and hard work, VCB parlayed her primary school promise into a scholarship to one of Jamaica’s venerable high school track programs, Vere Technical. Incidentally, Vere Technical is the only high school in the world to boast four alumni to run under 11.00 in the 100 meters. The four piloting Vere Technical to that position are Merlene Ottey (VCB’s self-proclaimed role model), Beverley McDonald, Simone Facey and of course VCB herself.
Whilst in high school, VCB in 1999 became the first female to win the World Youth Games 100 meter title and in the very next year won her first of five Olympic Games medals courtesy of a relay silver medal at the Sydney Games. Interestingly, VCB became the youngest ever Jamaican female to win an Olympic medal! More history was created that same year when in Santiago, Chile, VCB became the first female to win the 100m and 200m at the same World Junior Championships!
At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games VCB kept the history buffs busy as her medal haul of 100 meter (bronze), 200 meter (gold) and relay (gold) propelled her to the title of most successful Caribbean athlete ever at a single Olympic Games! Additionally, by virtue of winning the 200 meter, VCB became the first female from the Caribbean to win an Olympic sprint title!
Want more firsts? At the 2007 World Championships, VCB captured the 100m title and in the process became the first athlete (male or female) to win the full offering of International Association of Athlete Federation (IAAF) sprint titles available. She had won World Youth 100m (1999), IAAF World Junior (2000).
Want more history? At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, VCB became only the second woman in Olympic Games history to successfully defend her 200m title. Barbel Wockel of Germany in 1976 and 1980 had previously turned the trick.
Displaying the ability to juggle academics and athletics with equal ease, VCB secured her Bachelor of Science degree in 2006 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. An avid bowler, the daughter of Cecil Campbell and Pamella Bailey and now wife of 2006 Commonwealth Games 200 meter Champion Omar Brown, VCB has come a long way from Trelawny and intends to continue creating history!
Tue Jun 16, 2009 08:27
In athletics circle, the name Veronica Campbell-Brown is synonymous with history. To be clear, not being a part of history but creating it! Born and raised in rural Jamaica in the parish of Trelawny, there was no family genes (but for a brief foray by her father Cecil Campbell who inherited the nickname “Honda” for his exploits), no cutting-edge equipment and or facilities serving as portent of the success to follow.
By sheer determination, natural talent and hard work, VCB parlayed her primary school promise into a scholarship to one of Jamaica’s venerable high school track programs, Vere Technical. Incidentally, Vere Technical is the only high school in the world to boast four alumni to run under 11.00 in the 100 meters. The four piloting Vere Technical to that position are Merlene Ottey (VCB’s self-proclaimed role model), Beverley McDonald, Simone Facey and of course VCB herself.
Whilst in high school, VCB in 1999 became the first female to win the World Youth Games 100 meter title and in the very next year won her first of five Olympic Games medals courtesy of a relay silver medal at the Sydney Games. Interestingly, VCB became the youngest ever Jamaican female to win an Olympic medal! More history was created that same year when in Santiago, Chile, VCB became the first female to win the 100m and 200m at the same World Junior Championships!
At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games VCB kept the history buffs busy as her medal haul of 100 meter (bronze), 200 meter (gold) and relay (gold) propelled her to the title of most successful Caribbean athlete ever at a single Olympic Games! Additionally, by virtue of winning the 200 meter, VCB became the first female from the Caribbean to win an Olympic sprint title!
Want more firsts? At the 2007 World Championships, VCB captured the 100m title and in the process became the first athlete (male or female) to win the full offering of International Association of Athlete Federation (IAAF) sprint titles available. She had won World Youth 100m (1999), IAAF World Junior (2000).
Want more history? At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, VCB became only the second woman in Olympic Games history to successfully defend her 200m title. Barbel Wockel of Germany in 1976 and 1980 had previously turned the trick.
Displaying the ability to juggle academics and athletics with equal ease, VCB secured her Bachelor of Science degree in 2006 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. An avid bowler, the daughter of Cecil Campbell and Pamella Bailey and now wife of 2006 Commonwealth Games 200 meter Champion Omar Brown, VCB has come a long way from Trelawny and intends to continue creating history!
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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