Stewart, Fraser and Campbell-Brown

In just under 11 seconds at the Beijing Olympics last year, Jamaica's women achieved something that had never been done before at a major championships. They swept the top three places in the 100-metres final as Shelly-Ann Fraser took the gold medal in 10.78 seconds with Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart both taking the silver (10.98) as they could not be separated at the end.

One year later, the Jamaican women are set to repeat that performance at the Berlin World Championships. The country's female sprinters are once again in impeccable form as Stewart (10.75), Fraser (10.88) and defending world champion, Veronica Campbell-Brown (10.96) are ranked one, two and joint fourth, respectively.

Since their National Championships where the sprinters recorded some very impressive wind-aided times, the Americans are yet to show any sign that their top three can stop the Jamaicans from sweeping once again. And this time, Jamaica will have four athletes competing in the 100 metres as Campbell-Brown got a bye as defending champion.

early favourite

After defeating all top-three Jamaicans earlier this season, a lot of attention was focused on the American Carmelita Jeter as many experts then saw her as the early favourite. At the US nationals, she edged out Muna Lee in a close finish as both recorded an impressive wind-aided 10.78 seconds. Since then, however, Jeter has been beaten handsomely by the three top Jamaicans while Lee has failed to show any spark in two starts in Europe.

The big question is: Which Jamaican will take the gold? Following her impressive run at the Rome Golden League meet where she became the second fastest Jamaican ever when she clocked 10.75 seconds, Stewart, who lost her 100 metres national title to Fraser, is definitely the favourite. In Beijing last year, after the first three rounds of the 100 metres, she looked a cinch for the gold. However, after a terrible start in the final, there was no catching the fleet-footed Fraser, who was out of the blocks like a rocket. After looking out of the medals up to the 60-metres mark, Stewart made an unbelievable late charge to tie with teammate Sherone Simpson for the silver. If she is able to repeat her Rome Golden League start, she will be hard to beat.

While Stewart has the early favourite's tag, both Fraser and Campbell-Brown cannot be counted out. Any of the two can pull off a win. Blessed with brilliant early speed, Fraser, the Olympic champion, could once again use her explosive start to steal the show and win her second successive gold at a major meet.

Being the most experienced of the three, defending champion Campbell-Brown will not give up her title that easily. She is going into the championship with little or no pressure as she is not the favourite this time around and could use this as an advantage. She is a "warrior" and should not be taken lightly and could steal the show. A perfect start could see her going all the way.

Come August 17, 2009 at 21:35 Berlin time (Ja time 2:35 p.m.) Jamaicans will be glued to their television sets as history beckons once again. A close battle among the Jamaican women is expected as all three should fight out the finish. Could it be 1-2-3 or 1-2-2 or possibly a rare 1-1-1? One thing is certain, it will take something special from any other athlete from any of the other nation to displace any of the three Jamaicans.