SHAYNE FAIRMAN, STAR Writer

BRUCE James, MVP Track and Field Club president, is confident that the hard work and commitment his cast of athletes demonstrate in training, as well as at the respective competitions will help rank them among the best in the world.

James was guest speaker at Thursday's launch of the 2015 JTA/Sagicor National Primary Schools Athletics Championships.

"Elaine Thompson ... three weeks ago, was at her best 11.17 seconds for the 100 metres. She was one of the numerous athletes who run well, but was not considered a world threat. She is now the fastest woman in the world. She trains hard and has been training hard," James said.

personal best

Thompson, formerly of the Christiana and Manchester High Schools, did a personal best 12.01 seconds in Class two to finish a best of fourth at the ISSA Boys and Girls's Athletic Championships.

"She trained hard, so don't give me these stories about these naturally gifted athletes who are super fast, and just run fast," he pointed out.

"When (Thompson) got to the MVP track and field club, she was as average or ordinary as anybody else, but four years later she is the fastest woman in the world," he said.

James also had praises for UTech/MVP's new generation of male sprinters Andrew Fisher, Julian Forte, Kemarley Brown, and Tyquendo Tracey, who defeated Racers Lions, anchored by six-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, at the Gibson Mcook Relays.

The 38.23 seconds by UTech, and 38.29 seconds by Racers Lions are the two fastest times in the world so far.

"Our team included athletes who are not yet Olympic and, world champions, but together, they were able to defeat a group of Olympic and World champions," he noted

MVP's achievements include 18 Olympic medals and 43 World Championship medals.