Kingston:

TOKYO OLYMPICS sprint relay gold medallist, Briana Williams, was among several persons honoured with Heritage Awards in Sunrise, Florida, on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Olympian was recognised for her youth leadership and global excellence by the Consulate General, Jamaica, to Southern USA.

The Consul General to Southern USA, Oliver Mair, who presented the award, said: “Briana is a shining example to Jamaicans at home and abroad of what you can achieve with hard work, dedication, commitment backed by God-given talent.”

Mair said members of Williams’ South Florida community of Miramar and beyond held watch parties during the Olympics, where she ran the lead-off leg for Jamaica’s gold-medal-winning 4x100m relay team.

“Briana will always be our little baby, so the reward for us was that she got her gold medal,” added Mair.

Williams said she was honoured to be recognised.

“For me, every season I want to show what young people like myself can achieve through hard work. And at the end of it, it’s always nice to be recognised, so I’m grateful for this award.”

The Consulate General of Jamaica’s Heritage Award was established to recognise outstanding and dedicated service by individuals and businesses in the Jamaican community.