Georgetown celebrates native Melissa Jefferson ahead of her Olympic debut

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD)–Faith, focus, and passion are the three things Melissa Jefferson’s family said got her from Georgetown County to the city of lights. 

Melissa Jefferson has cemented her spot as one of the fastest women in the world, and she’ll race for that title and a gold medal when she hits the track in Paris. Her father, Melvin Jefferson, said Melissa has always had the need for speed. 

“When she was two years old, she would run through the house all the time because, you know, children think the bogeymen in the room or under the bed, and almost every night, you can hear it coming down, boom, boom, boom,” said Melvin Jefferson

At five years old, Melissa started her journey on the field and met her first coach, Pansy Gamble, who said she saw early on that Melissa had a gift.

“Like I said when she first came out seeing her run for the first time, it’s like wow, she is smoking everybody on the track, and like we said, even the boys, I mean, beating them, and it’s like, woah,” said Gamble.

Her competitive spirit has led her to win countless titles, and with 50 medals under her belt, she’s hoping to add another this week, an Olympic gold. Those who know her said she’ll be hard to stop. 

“She has a strong heart for what she wants to do and is a believer. She believes in herself, her parents, and all those coaches who came to her and encouraged and supported her. She has a great gift,” said Desmond Phillips, a former coordinator for Parks and Recreation.

While Georgetown County cheers her on from home, her family will be by her side, cheering her on from the stands. 

“It’s good when we’re sharing at home, but actually, to be there to cheer, to yell to scream, it’s like I’m the only person in that stadium, and I try to let my voice be heard,” said Johanna Jefferson, Melissa’s mother.