Proud auntie Trina James could not help tearing up when speaking about her niece Jaylah Hancock-Cameron’s silver medal in the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina this week.
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Jaylah,16, of Broulee turned in a blistering 1500 heat in 4.18.44 to finish second behind a Kenyan runner.
She backed up overnight on Monday with a fast 4000 metre cross country run.
That effort was enough to combine to give her a silver medal at the games.
Mrs James started a Facebook page to track Jaylah’s progress over her two weeks at the games; it now has 253 members – and counting.
“I named it Jaylah's Olympic quest,” she said.
She knew Jaylah’s mum Leanne Hancock would have her work cut out keeping everyone in the loop.
“I thought it would be easier than my sister having to send us all a different messages,” she said.
She has been overwhelmed with the community support for her speedy niece, but also overwhelmed at Jaylah’s achievement.
"I am very overwhelmed and very proud,” Mrs James said.
“I just want to kiss and hug her.
“She trains very hard.
“She has worked very hard for the last couple of years to get where she is at.
“I am really proud of my sister.”
She has worked very hard for the last couple of years to get where she is at.
- Trina James
Mrs James said the community had got behind the family over the past years as Jaylah’s star has begun to rise.
“Without that, they could not have done it,” she said.
“It was overwhelming.”
The extended family of aunt Melinda Hancock and grandparents Bob and Julie Hancock, of Tomakin, are also delighted.
Trina’s husband Gary has nicknamed Jaylah “our shining silver star”.
“I reckon if she had another 50 metres to go she may have got the Kenyan girl in the 1500 metres,” Mrs James said.
She said the silver medal was decided on a combined effort over both events, not per race.
“She is a very humble,” Mrs James said.
“She does not like a fuss. She takes it all in her stride.”
That would be a very fast stride.
“It was very daunting over in Argentina,” Mrs James said.
“Lots of guards with guns. It was hard for them to use their normal day to day credit cards. They had to sign and show passports. It was very overwhelming for my sister as it was her first time overseas, but she did it. I am so proud of all of them.”
