Melaine Walker's mother, Jenefer Wilson, celebrates with Maxfield Avenue residents after her daughter's championships-record run in the 400m hurdles yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

It's been said before that nothing gets Jamaicans as riled up as politics. Except for one thing - sports!

And nothing about sports gets them more excited than when they know they're on top of their game.

From Maxfield Avenue to Half-Way Tree alone yesterday, every man, woman, child and even the unborn knew, if even for a brief moment, they were at their best.

As the clock struck 1, it seemed all work stopped and people poured into the streets to watch their heroes.

In the community of Maxfield, they had a heroine and her name is Melaine Walker.

"We get the gold, man!" shouted 50-year-old Beverley Jones, who played a part in raising young Melaine.

Excitement

Decked in their green and gold, residents lined the streets, waiting, not nervously, but sweating with excitement for the race to begin.

"We cyaah nervous cause we know se a one she a get," said 56-year-old Lurline Galloway, who also had a hand in raising Melaine.

Dressed in a bright gold blouse, mother Jenefer Wilson made her golden statement.

"No, not nervous at all, me know she can do it," she said.

After much anticipation, the race began. As she came down the final 100 metres with a convincing lead, people screamed, traffic snarled and frightened dogs barked.

"52.42!" a man shouted, as Walker ran across the line to win gold in the women's 400 metre hurdles. It was the second-fastest time over the distance.

Pot covers became cymbals and for yet another moment, a simple woman from Kingston 13 was highlighted by the media for all the right reasons.

Cameras swooped down on Wilson, as residents and supporters flanked her and sang her daughter's praises.

It was her moment too and she claimed it.