BRESSANONE, Italy:

Danny Hawthorne, head coach of Jamaica's team to the sixth IAAF World Youth Championships, has hailed the performances of the athletes.

On the placing table, Jamaica ended 10th, having produced nine finalists, two - Danielle Dowie (400m hurdles) and Traves Smikle (discus) - of which won silver and bronze medals respectively.

"I think given the inexperience of the athletes, they have tried their best," Hawthorne said.

"I must commended them for the efforts, to me it could have been better, but at least they have tried hard ... and we must commend them for that," he added.

But he lamented the fact, "we need to expose these athletes some more."

The athletes

Jamaica brought 21 athletes to Italy. Males: Kemar Bailey-Cole, Adams Cummings, Wayne Hyman, A-Shawni Mitchell, Travis Smikle, Waquar DaCosta and Javere Bell.

Females: Deandre Whitehorne, Danielle Dowie, Peta-Gaye Reid, Rochelle Farquharson, Kimberly Williamson, Janieve Russell, Sandrea Farquharson, Shericka Moulton, Celia Walters, Seidath Palmer, Ristananna Tracey, Samantha Elliott, Keena Davis and Chantal Duncan.

- Anthony Foster