Melaine Walker's mother and father (above) and brother Kent (right) celebrate in Maxfield Avenue, St Andrew, after she won the gold medal yesterday. - photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Maxfield Avenue residents were expecting hometown hero Melaine Walker to deliver gold in the 400- metre hurdles. They had stocked up on national flags and had painted her name on several walls.

The national colours touched almost every inch of the area in front of Gordon Lane, off Maxfield Avenue, in east central St Andrew where Walker is from. By early morning, sound-system operators had set up massive boom boxes as everyone practised the victory dance.

Walker's brother, Kent, was dressed for the event. He wore black, green and gold from shirt to shoe lace. But he could not keep still.

"From last night I can't sleep. Mi nervous," Kent told The Gleaner before his sister's golden run.

Jennifer Wilson, Melaine's mother, was more relaxed. "She is a very determined child and once she says she is going to do something, I know she is going to deliver."

And deliver Melaine did.

Entrance flooded

Residents of various sections of Maxfield Avenue had flooded the entrance of Gordon Lane where two television sets had been placed.

Wild celebration broke out after Usain Bolt's world record 19.30 seconds stunner in the 200m finals.

And before residents could catch their breaths, Walker delivered on her promise to win the 400m hurdles gold.

"They were looking for it from her, I was looking for it, we were all looking for it. I feel wonderful! Thank God for it," her mother said.

Celebrations spilled into the streets, causing a massive traffic jam, giving residents the chance to climb on to moving vehicles as part of the euphoria.

Maxfield Avenue, located in the belly of the inner city, has been suffering from the scourge of crime and violence. It has been divided along turf lines, but according to Kyah, a resident of the community, Melaine has given them a chance to live again.

Pandemonium in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, as hundreds of Jamaicans watch Usain Bolt break the 200m world record minutes before Melaine Walker breaks the 400m hurdles Olympic record. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

It was a party on Maxfield Avenue after Melaine Walker won the gold medal in Beijing, China, yesterday.