Laurie Foster | This one should not slip!

The 17th staging of the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Athletics, formerly known as the World Junior Championships, concluded in Tampere, Finland, over last weekend. It was the coming out party of yet another female Jamaican sprinter who seems poised to set the world alight with similar grace, charm and speed that has been associated with this country.

Briana Williams was born in the United States to a Jamaican mother who is providing the type of support that mothers do best. She is coached by Trinidad and Tobago's world-acclaimed super star, Ato Boldon, who appears to be a firm believer in her ability to conquer the world. She was undoubtedly the most outstanding performer at the six-day event. Her double sprint triumph is equal to that done by the great Veronica Campbell at the same level in year 2000 in Santiago, Chile. Campbell was three years older.

Williams first took the 100m in 11.16 seconds. She did not appear to be intimidated by Twanisha Terry of the USA who had a season's best of 10.99 and sped to a fast 11.03 in the semi-final. It was all about maintaining her focus, as her coach had instructed and doing only enough to go through the rounds without extending herself. It worked beautifully for her as Terry was blown away at the start, and even with a desperate sprint, was unable to overhaul the Jamaican speedball before the line was reached.

When many observers were saying that such a performance was enough for a 16 year-old, Briana returned to stamp her class again in the 200m. American girl, Lauren Rain Williams, stood in the way, this time of a repeat gold medal, but Brianna pouched that title as well with a massive personal best of 22.50.

Impressive

She was coming from 23.11, her best effort prior. She had impressed again with her mind-boggling speed and immaculate form which left her rival staring on after the race in apparent disbelief.

The way in which she accomplished those marks, dismantling her much vaunted opponents, gives rise to serious concerns - the question of her being available to represent Jamaica at the senior level, especially since she was not born here and the lure of suiting up for the USA always a prominent factor.

One could not help but think of some who saw the first light of day on Jamaican soil, only to be coerced to represent the USA. Could this be the fate of the country's newly-minted phenom?

However, coach Boldon seems to have put that one to rest. In a post race interview, he mentioned with supreme confidence, that the athlete's ambitions rest with making the Jamaica team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. This was convincing enough for Foster's Fairplay.

Be that as it may, one must be aware that all sorts of inducements will be made to switch Briana's stated intention away from that which Boldon is suggesting. It is true that on occasions when Briana has been to Jamaica, she has been seen in the company of strategically placed officials and at least, one influential coach. It has also been mentioned that considerations are being given to her completing high school locally under the guidance of the said coach. These are not bad signs, pointing as they are towards making it Jamaica.

This, as promising as it looks, is far from being enough. Nothing is ever guaranteed and more needs to be done to make the young miss feel that she is welcomed by not only the sporting fraternity but the Jamaican people.

As some type of reward for her successes in Finland, Foster's Fairplay is looking forward to hear of invitations to Briana and her support group to be feted by the country and every effort made to make her feel like the special athlete that she is. Jamaica needs her as a role model to our youth to show what proper approach and serious application can achieve. Briana is still a young girl but from what has been seen so far, the prospects are bright.

Foster's Fairplay has enough faith and confidence in the nation's Minister of Sport, Olivia "Babsy" Grange to say, "This one should not slip."

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