Clare Forrester, Contributor

Jamaica's Sherone Simpson (right) finishes ahead of Marion Jones of the U.S. to win the women's 100m race during the London Grand Prix. Simpson clocked 11.00 seconds with Jones second in 11.05. - Reuters

While the continued exploits of Jamaica's Asafa Powell continue to command global attention, Sherone Simpson has quietly emerged as the world's fastest woman with stellar performances that puts her in contention for a share of the lucrative US$500,000 jackpot in the Golden League. Very much like Asafa, Simpson's achievements in the 100 metres this year have been awesome, and the unprecedented dominance of these two nationals confirms the status of Jamaica as the true global sprint factory.

While there is absolutely no doubt that Sherone's stellar performances put her among the front-runners for track and field's richest bounty, there are two hurdles. She needs to win her next race. She needs also to be acknowledged as winner of the lone race in which she trailed U.S. sprinter Marion Jones. Jones is again under the microscope following a failed drug test prior to her run against Simpson. The odds are heavily stacked against MJ's attempts to dodge a guilty verdict which would justifiably level the field in the Golden League in Simpson's favour. One way or the other, Sherone's phenomenal year puts her in the money and stamps her class as the new female powerhouse on the international track and field circuit.

Just over two weeks past her birthday, the Jamaican sprinter is still celebrating. Not having achieved her 22nd birthday, she has attained a consistency and success that only a very few select sprinters have achieved in their careers.

Riding high

The Manchester High graduate is now riding high, but it was not so long ago that she was a mere footnote to Jamaican sprint history. A transfer from Knox College, the Manchester native did not have a stellar start, failing in her first year Class II at Girls Championships, but by the following year she was starting to show the form we have now come to expect. Her selection to the CAC Championships in Barbados finally convinced her that she was on the right road and athletics would be an important part of her future.

It was, however, when she entered the University of Technology that her career really soared. With Bruce James as mentor and advisor and the tremendous coaching talents of Stephen Francis, Sherone soon broke through to the very top level. Additionally, with encouragement from MVP teammates, Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Asafa Powell, Sherone developed the self-belief that makes champions.

In 2004 she announced that she was ready with a sixth place finish at the Athens Olympic Games, followed by a gold medal in the sprint relay on which she ran a decisive blistering backstretch. Early season world bests in the 100 and 200 metres in 2005 were signals of another outstanding year in which she won a silver medal in the sprint relay at the World Championships. Her progress is mirrored by her 'best' times. In 2002 her best in the 100 metres was 11.73, by 2003 it was 11.37, in 2004 she ran 11.01 and in 2005, 10.97. In the 200 metres she brought her times down from 22.70 in 2004 to 22.54 in 2005.

Year of Sherone

It is 2006, however, which will be remembered as the 'Year of Sherone'. She has underlined her class. A national championship title in a world leading 10:82 and a world leading 22:00 (twice achieved) have made Sherone the second fastest Jamaican 100 metres sprinter ever and the fourth fastest in the 200 metres. Considering how infrequently she runs the latter distance it is a virtual certainty that she will move up that list in short order. As we write, the 2007 World Championships and 2008 Olympic Games beckon as yet to be conquered stages where, given continued health and form, she ought to cover herself in glory.

Which makes it even more unfortunate that 200 metres Commonwealth Champion and number one ranked sprinter in the world may be robbed of an outstanding pay day by circumstances beyond her control.

Review performances

Recent revelations about the positive 'A' sample of Marion Jones demands that Simpson's performances in the Golden League series be reviewed in a new light. Any athlete who wins five of six events in the series shares in a US$500,000 bounty. Simpson lost to Debbie Ferguson in the first Golden League meet of the year (when she was not 100 per cent fit) and subsequently trailed Marion Jones in the second meeting. This latter meet, however, followed the failed drug test of Jones. Should the 'B' sample verify the positive findings, then Jones' achievement in the event is expected to be erased and Simpson would be elevated to the winner's position, meaning also that she would have won four of five events.

If Sherone wins the final Golden League meet in Berlin tomorrow, the meet directors will be faced with a dilemma, what to do about her 'share' of the booty. To share her out would be unfair. To share her in before Jones' 'B' sample result is known would be injudicious. Even if Jones' 'B' Sample is positive, she (Jones) would still be entitled to an appeals process. Will the money be put in escrow until the matter is settled or will Sherone just be shared out? Enquiring minds need to know.

Clare Forrester is a veteran journalist and track and field analyst.