{image-ann fraser_18082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Jamaica has suddenly changed into the "World's Fastest Nation."

The Jamaican women's sprinters followed the lead of Usain Bolt from a night earlier and outdid their male counterparts by two medals, with Shelly-Ann Fraser leading a Jamaican sweep in the 100 meters Sunday night at the Olympic Stadium.Fraser ran the second-best time ever in the Olympics at 10.78 seconds, a personal best and enough to outclass the field. She was followed across the line by her countrywomen Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, who tied for second in 10.98 seconds.

Never before had a Jamaican woman won the gold in the 100 meters. Merlene Ottey came closest in 1996, when she lost a photo finish to an American, Gail Devers.

"It's about time the Jamaicans went 1-2-3," said Stewart.

It was the first time an American woman had not finished in the top three in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1976. Marion Jones's victory in 2000 has since been vacated because of her admission to doping.