Dania Bogle Contributor

	Usain Bolt was the standout but other athletes shared in Jamaica's stunning year on the track

On May 3 when Usain Bolt clocked 9.76 seconds to win the 100m at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet in only his fifth attempt at the distance no one could have envisaged the summer that awaited the nation of 2.6 million.

Less than a month later on June 1, Jamaicans woke up to the news that Bolt had broken the 100m world record in New York the night before, stopping the clock at 9.72 seconds.

Bolt's 9.74 seconds eclipsed the mark set by countryman Asafa Powell in Italy eight months and set the stage for what fans on either side of the fence hoped would be a juicy clash at Jamaica's Olympic trials later that month.

The meeting failed to live up to the hype as both athletes cruised to the finish line: Bolt in 9.85 seconds ahead of Powell and left a sour taste in the mouths of spectators who felt they should have put out their best if only to please the fans.

Virtual unknown

The revelation of the weekend was in the women's 100m in which world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown failed to finish in the top three where Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association rules stipulate an athlete must finish to race at the Olympics.

Instead Kerron Stewart won ahead of a petite virtual unknown by the name of Shelly Ann Fraser and Sherone Simpson with Campbell-Brown fourth in a season best equalling 10.88 seconds.

Jamaicans and Campbell-Brown breathed a collective sigh of relief the following afternoon when the reigning Olympic champion won the 200m.

	Shelly Ann Fraser reacts joyously after winning the women's 100 metres

In the weeks leading up to the Olympics a nationwide debate raged as to whether Campbell-Brown's proven history on the big stage should allow her to race in the 100m ahead of Fraser or Simpson.

Meanwhile, Jamaicans were left in suspense while Bolt's camp decided if he would run the 100m at the Games.

One thing was certain it promised to be the country's best Olympics yet with many saying track and field's playing field was now level with the tightening of the noose on drugs cheats.

So it was on August 16, a 21 year old unknown to those outside athletics became the first Jamaican man to win the Olympic 100m gold and in a blistering world record 9.69 seconds.

Standstill

The following morning Fraser too created history as the first female to the 100m.

To top it off Jamaica's arch-rivals the United States were shut out with Simpson and Stewart claiming silver medals.

For eight days Jamaica was at a virtual standstill as giant television screens placed in the largest towns and cities made it easy for those not at home to watch the Olympic action.

	Bolt's playful image won the hearts of millions around the world

Day after day traffic and work came to a halt as Campbell-Brown retained the Olympic 200m title with Stewart in third and Shericka Williams won 400m silver.

Then on August 20 lightning struck again and in the same place as Usain Bolt wiped out Michael Johnson's 12 year old world record to win the 200m in 19.30 seconds.

Jamaicans were almost beside themselves with joy minutes later when Melaine Walker won the 400m hurdles.

A third world record and sixth gold medal would go to Jamaica in the men's 4x100m as the country recorded its best Olympic medal haul of 11 including six gold, three silver, two bronze.

Crime rate

The performances on the track made stars of even those Jamaicans in Beijing who were not athletes and a week-long celebration was planned for the athletes return in October.

Thousands lined the streets to welcome them but the biggest welcome of all was for Bolt whose light-hearted gestures and celebratory dancing had won over many while at the same time sparking some criticism of his mannerisms.

The euphoria of the Olympics spilled over into other areas of life. The country's high crime rate fell during the week of athletics competition in Beijing.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding implored criminals to use the performances in Beijing to put a stop to their illegal activities which he said were embarrassing the country which did so well in China.

Some athletes chose to use their performances as a catalyst to effect social change in their communities and entrepreneurs reaped the economic benefits of latching on to brand Jamaica.

One local company launched a Usain Bolt line of clothing - some branded with his signature pose which has now become a part of Jamaican folklore.