Sport

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICA'S Odean Skeen pocketed his second gold medal at the World Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, as he ran the second leg (200) metres on the Americas medley relay team, which captured the event in 1:51.38 seconds yesterday.

Skeen had earlier distinguished himself as the only Jamaican to win an individual gold medal at the Games, with his blistering 10.42-second victory in boys' 100 metres final on Saturday.

Europe (1:52.11) finished second in the medley relay, while Oceania won the bronze in 1:52.71.

The other members of the winning Americas medley relay team included long jump champion Carlos dos Santos of Brazil, who ran the opening 100 metres leg; the United States' Najee Glass, who ran the third leg (300m); and the Dominica Republic's Lugelin Santos, the boys' 400m individual gold medallist, who ran the anchor leg over the same distance (400m).

The Americas team actually registered a double in the relays, as their female counterparts won in 2:05.62.

Africa second

Africa finished second in 2:06.19 and Europe took the bronze in 2:07.09.

The Americas female team included The Bahamas duo of Tynia Gaither and Rashan Brown, who ran the 200 and 300-metre legs, respectively; the United States' Myasia Jacob, who ran the opening 100 metres leg; and individual female 400m champion, Robin Reynolds, who ran the anchor-leg.

Instead of athletes participating for their countries in the relays, they had to compete for Continental Area teams, which included Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Meanwhile, Jamaica narrowly missed out on a bid to gain its second individual medal on yesterday's final day of competition at the World Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, as St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) long jumper, Rochelle Farqhuarson, despite a season-best 12.57 metres, finished fourth in the girls' A Final.

The event favourite, Khadijalou Sagnia of Sweden, captured the gold with a personal best of 13.56 metres, with France Sokhina Galle taking silver with 13.04. The Ukraine Gemma Aleksandrosa leapt 12.64 to claim the bronze medal.

Farquharson's placing equalled that of several other Jamaicans - Megan Simmonds, Steffan Fennel and Shericka Jackson, who also finished fourth in their event.