Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (second right) poses with members of the Jamaican World Junior team after their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday night. From left are Winston Barnes, Yohan Blake, Kaliese Spencer, Remaldo Rose and Caywane Jervis. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

"I would like to thank you for representing your country with your heart and with everything that you have," Simpson Miller said.

"You have demonstrated that money is important but it is not all ... patriotism is important to any country and to any nation," she said.

"I was very proud of all of the performances. Continue to wear the black, green and gold with pride and dignity."

The team, led by 400m hurdles gold medallist Kaliese Spencer, arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport to a cheering crowd comprising mainly family members and friends.

Glen Mills, technical director of the team, said the performance in China "shows that we have a very vibrant junior programme and their success at this World Championship speaks well for the future of Jamaica".

Jamaica's best performance at the junior meet was a 12-medal haul in 2002 when the country hosted the championship. Mills said the conditions in China hindered Jamaica's chances of performing better.

"The conditions in China affected the team a lot. The pollution was very significant because the team has a few people who are asthmatic and, from time to time, they had mild attacks. They also did not adjust to the food which gave them a lot problems," he said.

Meanwhile, Yohan Blake, who landed gold with the boys' 4x100 metre team and an individual bronze medal in the 100m, is now looking ahead to competing with the big boys.

"This means a lot to me because this was my first World Junior Games at the age of 16 and getting a gold and a bronze, I feel pretty good. I am now looking forward for the World Championships next year," Blake said.