Three Jamaicans Receive Medals in Reallocation Ceremony in Paris

Three Jamaican athletes who competed at previous Olympic Games were awarded medals during a special reallocation ceremony in Paris on Friday.

The awardees are Kaliese Spencer who was upgraded to the bronze medal for the women’s 400 metre hurdles, after she finished fourth at the London Olympics in 2012.

The then gold medal winner, Russian Natalya Antyukh, was disqualified.

Spencer says she’s grateful to have received her medal.

Keliese Spencer, speaking with Nationwide’s Wayne Walker.

From the 2008 Games in Beijing, Chelsea Hammond-Ross received the bronze for the long jump. Russia’s Tatyana Lebedeva, the then silver medal winner, was disqualified.

Hammond-Ross described finally receiving the medal as bittersweet.

Chelsea Hammond-Ross.

Meanwhile, Beverley McDonald finally secured an individual Olympic medal, getting the 200 metre bronze, after gold medal winner, the USA’s Marion Jones was disqualified from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

McDonald says she was excited and relieved when she found out she was upgraded to the bronze medal.

Beverly McDonald.

Overall, 10 athletes were reallocated medals at the Champions Park in Paris by members of the International Olympic Committee.

“These athletes competed fairly throughout their careers in the true spirit of the Olympic Games,” commented IOC member Emma Terho after the ceremony.

“I am pleased that we’ve been able to celebrate them in a location befitting their achievements, and that they have enjoyed a special experience with their families here in Paris.”

The other athletes to receive medals in Paris are:

• London 2012 – Weightlifting, Men’s 85kg
  • Bronze: Tarek Yehia Fouad Abdelazim (Egypt)
• London 2012 – Athletics, Men’s High Jump
  • Gold: Erik Kynard (USA)
  • Silver: Derek Drouin (Canada)
• London 2012 – Weightlifting, Men’s +105kg
  • Bronze: Sangguen Jeon (Republic of Korea)
• London 2012 – Athletics, Women’s 1500m
  • Bronze: Abeba Aregawi (Ethiopia)
• London 2012 – Athletics, Women’s 400m Hurdles
  • Gold: Lashinda Demus (USA)
  • Silver: Zuzana Hejnova (Czech Republic)