Veronica's mom hopes for more - Looks forward to 200m; worries that Jamaicans could turn on her daughter

Published: Tuesday | August 18, 2009


Gareth Manning, Gleaner Writer

Things were a little subdued this time around.

Neighbours and visitors did not pour into the house in Angels Estate, St Catherine, where Veronica Campbell-Brown's mother and siblings live.

This time, only Pam Bailey and the children sat in front of the television, waiting for the start of the final race.

Maybe it was an indication of a doubt in their minds, or maybe they were simply nervous for their daughter, elder sister and aunt, who was defending her title as world champion over the 100 metres.

But whatever it was, there was almost no sound as the race began.

"Guh get mi rag fi me," Bailey commanded her granddaughter as the athletes lined up for the start.

She wiped her face as Campbell- Brown was introduced to the screaming fans inside the Berlin Olympic Stadium in Germany.

Not a sound

The race begins and there is not a sound. In 10.73 seconds it is over.

Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser and Kerron Stewart take first and second, respectively, while Campbell-Brown finishes fourth behind Carmelita Jeter of the United States.

The children walk away and for nearly two minutes, Bailey sits before the television and says nothing.

"A first and second we get?" she queries as she breaks the brief moment of silence.

"It's all right. Dem still win. A Jamaica still win," she says, trying to hide her disappointment.

"Me a text her right now."

Bailey, however, did not mask her disappointment, saying that her daughter had got a bad lane. Then came the fears, that Campbell- Brown could receive the cold shoulder from Jamaicans for her fourth-place finish, although her daughter had brought so much glory for her country on the track.

"Unnu nuh see how dem treat Asafa (Powell)?" she pointed out.

But she held out hope that her daughter would strike in the 200-metres race.

"She good pon di 200. Dat a fi her," Bailey said.