SMITH - File

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS decathlon silver medallist Maurice Smith was appointed Jamaica's Olympic team captain yesterday.

Team manager Ludlow Watts, in an interview with The Gleaner, confirmed Smith as the team captain.

"Yes, Maurice is the team captain," Watts said. "It's just one captain, no female or male captain, just one person," he said.

Smith, a graduate of Auburn University, finished the decathlon event in Osaka with a national record 8,644 points, beating his previous best of 8,349. That tally saw him end up behind Olympic and world record holder Roman Sebrle of Czech Republic (8,676 points).

Pan am gold

Smith, who created history by becoming the first Jamaican to win a medal in the event at a world championship, had earlier brought success to Jamaica with gold at the Pan American Games, after accumulating 8,241 points in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He was selected ahead of star athletes Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt for the job of captain.

Sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, on the other hand, carried the country's flag in today's Opening Ceremony.

Security guards stand in front of the National Stadium in Beijing yesterday. 'The Birds Nest' will host this morning's Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Games. - Charles Pitt/Freelance Photographer