Jamaica's Odean Skeen proudly poses with the national flag following his bronze-medal performance in the men's 100 metres final. - Contributed

Youth Olympic champion, Odean Skeen, yesterday added IAAF World Junior Championships bronze medal to his name, but this occasion was made extremely special, as his mother was on hand to witness him power to a season best of 10.28 seconds to capture Jamaica's first medal.

This was Cheryl Skeen's first time travelling abroad to watch her son compete.

"He (Odean Skeen) always wanted me to travel with him and I always say no, because I don't like to leave the smaller one behind and he said "you have to come", so I said ok fine," Skeen's mother disclosed following the race. "I feel so good to be present, seeing it for myself and getting all the excitement."

Skeen reacted best to the gun, as he was out the blocks in 0.118 seconds, but appeared to have faltered during the mid part of the race. He, however, dug deep and was able to pass United States' Tyreek Hill (10.29) and compatriot Jazeel Murphy (10.29) on the line.

"It's a great feeling; I actually want to cry, but I can't show it right now," an emotional Skeen shared following the race.

Skeen's mother is now planning a big celebration when his 18th birthday comes around on August 28.

"He will be 18 in August and we are planning a big celebration for him, a big 18th birthday party bash for him," she shared.

Despite not medaling, especially after how he looked in qualifying, Murphy's performance was a creditable one in this his first global championship.

Jamaica was not represented in the final of the female equivalent as the Edwin Allen duo of Monique Spencer and Shawnette Lewin failed to get past the semi-finals.

Lewin placed fifth in heat two with a time of 12.09 seconds, while Spencer fell just short after stopping the clock at 11.73 seconds for fourth in heat three.

Bahamian Anthonique Strachan won the event in a world junior leading time of 11.20 seconds (wind/speed +1.7 m/s). Turkey's Nimet Kapakus (11.36) and Tamiris De Liz (11.45) of Brazil were second and third, respectively.

medical personnel

Simoya Campbell , who had qualified for the semi-final of the 800m, took ill and was not able to participate in the event. Campbell fainted on her way to the stadium and had to be rushed to del Mar Hospital where checks by doctors did not reveal any ailment.

Javon Gallimore also fainted and had to be treated by the championships' medical personnel for what appeared to be dehydration. This was after he and teammate Shavarn Barnes had booked their places in the semi-final of the men's 400m hurdles.

Gallimore was second in heat four with a time of 51.40 seconds, while Barnes ran 51.52 seconds to place second in heat seven.

Javon Francis ran a new personal best of 46.06 seconds in heat three to shave .25 seconds off his previous best of 46.31 seconds in qualifying the 400m final.

Jamaica's male team captain Ashinia Miller could only muster a throw of 18.70 metres in the men's shot put final, which saw him place 11th.

It was nevertheless an improved showing by Miller who had failed to reach the final in 2010.

Skeen's mother, Cheryl Skeen. - Contributed

Chrisann Gordon did not appear to be affected by the injuries she has been plagued with this season, as a smooth run in heat five of the 400m saw her winning in 52.99 seconds to secure a place in today's semi-final.

"I just did enough to qualify for the semi-final tomorrow (today). I am just taking it one step at a time," she said following the race.

Olivia James ran a season best 52.86 seconds, which was good enough for third in heat four, as she also booked her place in the semi-finals of the 400m.

"I am pretty happy with the time," James said.

Jamaica crashed out of the 110m hurdles for men as the pair of Stefan Fennell and Yanick Hart failed to advance. Fennell, who ran a personal best of 13.62 seconds in the heats, was disqualified from the semi-finals after he fell over the penultimate hurdle and then removed a foot of his shoe before walking across the finish line. He suffered a minor cut to his left hand during the fall.

Hart placed sixth in his semi-final with a time of 13.76 seconds.

Christoff Bryan, who had to overcome diarrhea shortly after arriving in Spain, did not progress from the first round of the high jump as he placed 12th in his group with a clearance of 2.10 metres.