(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Jamaican athletes Ms Shelly Ann Fraser and Ms Melanie Walker were commended by Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) H.E. Edwin Carrington for their performances at the Beijing Olympics.

In a message of congratulations to the athletes, the Secretary-General said it was with "great pride and pleasure that I extend to Ms Fraser and Ms Walker in particular and their compatriots for the fine example they have offered to Regional youth of world class excellence".

In a history-making performance, Ms Fraser won the 100 metre women’s final, while Ms Sherone Simpson and Ms Kerron Stewart tied for second place.

"The Caribbean can be justly proud of these athletes as well as its unprecedented achievement of providing 10 of the 16 finalists in the 100 metre event finals at this Olympics – six men and four women and winning five of the six medals on offer," the Secretary-General said.

Please see the full text of the message below:

"The Caribbean Community hails the victories of Jamaica's female athletes at the Beijing Olympics.

Ms Shelly Ann Fraser spearheaded an historic achievement by her country, Jamaica, which provided the first three athletes in a 100 metre Women’s final for the first time in the history of the modern Olympics with Ms Sherone Simpson and Ms Kerron Stewart tying for second place.

Ms Melanie Walker further underlined the depth of talent in Jamaica with her Olympic record victory in the 400 metres hurdles.

The Caribbean can be justly proud of these athletes as well as its unprecedented achievement of providing 10 of the 16 finalists in the 100 metre event finals at this Olympics – six men and four women and winning five of the six medals on offer.

As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community it is with great pride and pleasure that I extend to Ms Fraser and Ms Walker in particular and their compatriots for the fine example they have offered to Regional youth of world class excellence.

I also extend congratulations to the Government and People of Jamaica on their country’s splendid achievement of winning both the men’s and women’s 100 metres event at the same Olympics."