The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said heaped praise on Aisha Praught who won a historic gold medal for Jamaica in the women’s 3000 metres steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.
Minister Grange said Praught’s “performance was inspirational and displayed guts and determination.”
Praught produced her stunner late, catching world U20 record holder Celliphine Chespol off the final hurdle of the women’s 3000m steeplechase to take a shock victory in 9:21.00.
According to the Minister, “when we consider that Jamaica had never won a Commonwealth medal in an event longer that 800 metres, and that Aisha defeated the favourite and second-fastest woman ever in the 3000 metres steeplechase, then we understand the magnitude and significance of this victory for her and for our country. Congratulations Aisha on a job well done.”
Minister Grange also congratulated Anastasia Le-Roy and Stephenie McPherson who took the silver and bronze medals respectively in the women’s 400 metres.