Dexter Lee competes in the 100m at the World Youth Championships. - anthony foster

Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

A double pump of the fists and an ear-to-ear grin on the face of Claudette Keith, acting principal of Herbert Morrison Technical High School, told the story.

Dexter Lee's victory in the 100m at the World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, had brought unbridled joy to Montego Bay and Western Jamaica.

The 16-year-old won the 100 metres, a first for a Jamaican male at any level in a major event, in a time of 10.51 seconds. Another Jamaican, Nickel Ashmeade of St. Jago, was second in 10.54 seconds.

Great feeling

"I am excited and pleased. It is a great feeling," Keith said after managing to contain the smile.

"I see this as a continuation of the excellence that we have been displaying as an institution and the great programme that Mr. Claude Grant (athletics coach) has in place here. All the hard work over the years has come to fruition.

"Additionally it could not have happened to a nicer person. Dexter goes about his job without fanfare and he is very focused."

Lee's mother, Charlene Campbell, was on cloud nine.

"Oh Boy! I am so proud of my baby," she said of the younger of her two sons before giggling like a schoolgirl.

Campbell, who was yet to see the race when Star Sports spoke with her, said she spoke with her son shortly after the race.

Expected victory

Dexter Lee (right) and Nickel Ashmeade display their gold and silver medals, respectively, after competing in the 100 metres at the World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, yesterday. - anthony foster

"I was at work and Mr. Laurie Foster called me and allowed me to speak with him. He was very tired but it did not matter.

"I had expected the victory, but just to know that it happened was extra special. His brother Keneil (also an athlete) is happy for him and was never in doubt that he would have won. He kept telling me not to worry. I spoke with his father, Devon, who is away, and he is overjoyed. The entire family is very happy. Everyone is calling," added Campbell who predicted that Ramone McKenzie will add the 200 metres title to Jamaica's sprint collection at the championships.

Grant, the man who conditioned Lee for his historic run, was similarly pleased with the performance of his charge, but more subdued in his expression of it.

Dispelling myth

"Personally it makes me feel proud to have identified the talent in the athlete and being able to guide him to this level. I have always maintained that as a nationalist, my job is not about gearing athletes towards Boys and Girls Championships but producing for Jamaica and Dexter has done just that," said Grant, who in 2005 guided Nikiesha Anderson to bronze in the 200 metres at the World Youth Championships in Marrakech, Morocco.

What was also important for Grant was that Lee's performance dispelled the myth that good athletes could only be guided in Kingston.

"If you check the record, Dexter is the first Jamaican male to win a 100m gold medal in a major championship. Based on this performance, it is good for people in western Jamaica to see that we can prepare people at world standards and to beat the world.

"There is no need to send them to Kingston. They could stay right here because the knowledge base is not limited to Kingston. All of us (track coaches) went to G.C. Foster."