Kerron Stewart
Her explosive speed in Beijing 2008 helped cement Jamaica's dominance on the track, sharing an Olympic podium with her own teammate.
Born 1984 (age 42)·Jamaican sprinter·Birthday: April 16·Millennials
Biography
Kerron Stewart arrived at the peak of Jamaican sprinting's golden era and carved out her own piece of history. Born in Kingston, she was a standout at Auburn University before joining the formidable ranks of Jamaican professionals. The 2008 Beijing Olympics were her masterpiece: in the 100m final, she crossed the line in a dead heat with teammate Sherone Simpson, both earning silver behind Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in a historic Jamaican sweep. Days later, she added a bronze in the 200m. Stewart's powerful running was a key component of Jamaica's relay dominance for years, contributing to world championship golds. Her career, spanning over a decade until her 2018 retirement, was defined by that incredible Beijing moment—a symbol of both intense national rivalry and shared triumph.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kerron was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kerron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Kerron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Olympic silver medal in the 100m at the 2008 Beijing Games, tying with teammate Sherone Simpson.
- Earned an Olympic bronze medal in the 200m at the same 2008 Olympics.
- Was a key member of the Jamaican 4x100m relay team that won gold at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
- Became the 2008 Jamaican national champion in the 100m, defeating world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown.
Did You Know?
She and Sherone Simpson's tie for silver in the 100m at the 2008 Olympics is a rare occurrence in a sprint final.
Stewart attended Auburn University in Alabama on a track scholarship.
She officially announced her retirement from track and field in 2019.
“In Beijing, I stood on the line with the fastest women alive.”
