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BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, August 13, 2013HALF-WAY-TREE square was missing the usual crowd yesterday as two big screens projected the women’s 100-metre final from the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia, which had among the line-up Jamaica’s own Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Kerron Stewart.For the most part, the St Andrew capital only had its usual sights and sounds: Impatient motorists tooting their horns, people moving about the busy streets, and peddlers outside the transport centre trying to grab a sale from unwilling passers-by.However, at the sound of the starter’s gun in Moscow, commuters stopped in their tracks and motorists ignored the changing traffic lights to watch the race on the big screens that have been a feature in the square since Jamaica dominated the tracks in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.The handful of people relished every moment as Fraser-Pryce demolished a quality field to win in a blistering, world-leading 10.71 seconds ahead of the Ivory Coast’s Muriella Ahoure (10.93) and Carmelita Jeter (10.94) of the United States. Stewart, with a run of 10.97 seconds, placed fifth.Those watching could not contain their delight.“From mi see how she (Fraser-Pryce) lif’ up inna di race, mi confident; mi know she could not lose,” Ian Campbell told the Jamaica Observer.Even the menacing rain clouds above could not dampen the excitement of the few.“Mi really happy to see that wi secured a win in the race,” said Ian McNeil, another cheering fan.There were other fans who, despite being proud of Fraser-Pryce, said they were disappointed that Stewart had not made it to the medal podium by finishing in the top three.“I am happy for Shelly, but really wanted Stewart to secure a medal too,” said Pamela Smart, who had travelled from Portland to do business in Half-Way-Tree.
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No big crowd in HWT to celebrate Shelly"s win
