Winnifred Carnegie has hailed daughter Kerron Stewart's gutsy performance in clawing her way back from fifth to snatch a silver medal in the 100m final at the Beijing Olympics.

"She works real hard and she put in a lot for the Olympics. I just have to give God thanks.

"I appreciate what she did and I couldn't ask for more. I appreciate what the Jamaicans did," she added.

Carnegie, like many Jamaicans in the United States, was forced to watch the final on the Internet with her son, as the race was not broadcast live there.

Stewart, the national champion, entered the 100m final as a favourite after convincing runs in earlier rounds.

"I was looking for a gold. I know that it was a sure gold. I think because of the false start why (she never got it)," says Carnegie, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida. "I know for sure she would have because she is positive and determined."

ALWAYS HUMBLE

Determination and focus are Stewart's best assets, her mother points out.

"She was a quiet person. She never spoke a lot, but she is an observant person and always humble.

"When she puts her mind to something, she will do it," Carnegie said.

Raymond 'KC' Graham, who coached Stewart at St Jago High School, described her run as awesome.

"It was unbelievable to see that she was left behind at the start and yet she managed to rally for that medal," he said. "It was very courageous how she ran the last 30 metres to get a medal."

Stewart, who clocked 10.80 in the 100m at the national trials in May, is now the third-fastest Jamaican over the distance.Although Graham is elated at Jamaica's historic sweep of the women's sprint, he was rooting for Stewart to win gold.

"I have always known that she was something special," Graham said of Stewart, who was recruited from John Mills Primary and Junior High School by St Jago High School in St Catherine.