Tokyo Olympics 400m finalists Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Marileidy Paulino, Candice McLeod and Stephenie-Ann McPherson all advanced to Friday’s 400m finals at the conclusion of the semi-final round of competition at the 2022 World Championships of Athletics at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday night.
Caribbean athletes also featured strongly in the men’s event as Kirani James, Johnathan Jones and Christopher Taylor are all in the final eight.
Meanwhile, Rushell Clayton was the lone survivor of the semi-final round of the 400m hurdles. She ran a lifetime best to advance to the finals.
Bahamas’ sprint queen Miller-Uibo, the Tokyo Olympic champion, was the fastest heading into the final after she cruised to a comfortable victory in her heat in a season-best 49.55.
The Dominican Republic champion Paulino was also easily through as the Olympic silver medallist, the second fastest woman in the world this year, clocked 49.98 to win her heat.
McLeod, the Jamaican champion who was fifth in Tokyo, ran a season’s best 50.05 to qualify for the finals that is shaping up to be quite similar to the one that lined up in Tokyo last year with the notable exception being the American Allyson Felix.
McPherson, fourth in Tokyo advanced as one of the fastest losers courtesy of her 50.56 that saw her finish third in her heat behind winner Fiordaliza Cofil of the Dominican Republic, who ran a personal best 50.14 and Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands who uncorked a new national record of 50.18.
The ever-improving Sada Williams of Barbados ran a season’s best 50.12 to also advance to the final.
The line-up is completed by Poland’s Anna Kiebasinska who advanced as one of the fastest losers with a time of 50.65.
Among the men, James was in impressive form winning his semi-final heat in 44.74 but was the fourth-fastest heading into the finals. Americans Michael Norman (44.30) and Champion Allison (44.71) and Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith (44.38) all had faster times.
Jones, who ran 44.78 and Taylor, a season-best 44.97, both also advanced as fastest losers.
Also through to the final, his first in five years, was 400m world-record holder Wayde van Niekerk. The South African clocked 44.75.
The final eight is completed by Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori who advanced with his time of 44.74.
Clayton, who was third at the Jamaican championships at the end of June ran a lifetime best 53.63 to advance to the finals of the 400m hurdles that will feature world record holder Sydney McLaughlin (52.17) and defending champion Dahlillah Mohammad (53.28 SB). Also through is The Netherlands’ star Femke Bol (52.84).
Puerto Rico’s Gianna Woodruff ran an area record of 53.69 to advance along with another US athlete Shamier Little who clocked a season-best 53.61.
The USA’s Britton Wilson also sneaked in with a time of 53.74.
Jamaican champion Janieve Russell (54.66) and runner-up Shian Salmon (54.16), each finished third in their respective heats but were not fast enough to advance to Friday night’s final.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Michael Johnson optimistic about bright future for field events amid rise of track-centric meets
Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson, the founder of the upcoming Grand Slam Track (GST) series, is confident that field events will not be sidelined despite the emergence of track-only competitions like GST and September's all-woman Athlos NY meet. Instead, Johnson envisions a future where field events flourish in their own right, buoyed by specialized leagues and platforms.
Grand Slam Track recently announced its inaugural season for 2025, with meets scheduled in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. As excitement builds for the all-track format, concerns have surfaced about the potential marginalization of field events like the shot put, discus, javelin, and triple jump. However, responding to a query from Sportsmax.TV, Johnson dismissed these fears, offering a compelling case for optimism.
“I think you will see quite the opposite,” Johnson said. “Ryan Crouser, the Olympic champion and world record holder in the shot put, is going to start his vision for a throws league that is specifically for the throws where the fans who actually appreciate those events and understand the great athleticism that is required for those events can actually be closer to the action. And so those events don’t fall secondary to what’s happening on the track, and I have offered my support to Ryan for that.”
Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and former 200m and 400m world record holder, pointed to Crouser’s initiative as an example of how specialized leagues can elevate field events.
“So I don’t think you will see those events continue to go away. I think it’s the exact opposite,” Johnson continued. “I think that there has been inspiration around how you now create leagues for those events as well, where you can make those events more prominent.”
Field events have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with Caribbean athletes making significant strides on the global stage. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott and Grenada’s Anderson Peters have won Olympic and World Championship medals in the javelin. Jamaica's Roje Stona set an Olympic record to win gold in the discus, with compatriot Rajindra Campbell claiming shot put bronze. Dominica’s Thea LaFond made history by winning her country’s first Olympic medal, a gold in the triple jump, ahead of Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts, a two-time World Championship silver medalist.
Johnson believes specialized leagues and tailored events are key to ensuring that these athletes and their disciplines receive the recognition they deserve.
“Right now, they’re getting lost in a huge stadium where fans far away can’t actually see and appreciate the athleticism,” Johnson explained. “So I think that this [Grand Slam Track] paves the way for a brighter future for the field events.”
Grand Slam Track’s inaugural season promises to bring a fresh, dynamic format to track events, while Johnson’s endorsement of field-event-specific leagues highlights his broader vision for athletics as a sport. With initiatives like Crouser’s throws league on the horizon, Johnson’s optimism reflects a shift toward creating dedicated platforms for all disciplines to shine.
The 2025 GST series, set to kick off with a meet in Kingston from April 4-, marks an exciting evolution for the sport. As Johnson’s vision takes shape, the future appears brighter not just for track athletes but for the field-event stars whose talents deserve a stage of their own.
Jaydon Hibbert honoured and 'humbled' with inaugural JOA Olympic Spirit Award
Rising athletics star Jaydon Hibbert was humbled and deeply honoured to receive the first-ever Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Olympic Spirit Award during a glittering ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel on Saturday night.
The award, introduced to celebrate athletes who exemplify the core values of Olympism—courage, perseverance, and sportsmanship—recognizes Hibbert’s remarkable resilience and determination at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Despite battling discomfort during competition, Hibbert delivered an exceptional performance in the men’s triple jump, narrowly missing the podium by 0.03 centimeters to finish fourth. At just 19 years old, he was the youngest competitor in the field, showcasing composure and tenacity beyond his years.
The JOA’s official citation praised Hibbert’s efforts, describing him as "dauntless and with inborn patriotism," commending his ability to “give it his all” despite physical challenges. It continued:
"The heart of a gladiator will always beat with the lifeblood of a champion, and Jaydon is of that mettle. The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) applauds Jaydon Hibbert, a distinguished brother of our household and our first Olympic Spirit awardee."
Hibbert, who is also a nominee for the World Athletics Rising Star Award for the second consecutive year, expressed gratitude and humility in his acceptance speech.
"To be recognized in this way is truly humbling," he said. "The Olympic Games were a test of my spirit, and I’m proud to represent Jamaica on and off the field. This award serves as motivation for what’s to come."
Christopher Samuda, President of the JOA, highlighted the importance of the award during his remarks at the ceremony, underscoring its role in celebrating not just athletic excellence but the qualities of perseverance and character.
"The award not only recognizes athletic excellence but also celebrates the spirit of perseverance and sportsmanship that transcends the playing field," Samuda said. "Jaydon's inclusion underscores the JOA’s commitment to celebrating not only athletic success but also the core values of Olympism – character, courage, and unyielding grit, the true essence of the Olympic spirit."
The ceremony also honored Jamaica’s 2024 Paris Olympic medalists, but Hibbert’s recognition stood out as a poignant reminder of the Olympic spirit that defines true champions. As the applause echoed in the room, it was clear that Jaydon Hibbert’s journey has only just begun, and his story continues to inspire.
Not so fast: Haughton says Thompson-Herah in Florida for treatment on Achilles; not joining Tumbleweed Track Club
Earlier on Saturday, Sportsmax.tv published a story based on the words of three-time Olympic medallist, Dr. Gregory Haughton, suggesting that Elaine Thompson-Herah was training with the Tumbleweed Track Club in Jacksonville, Florida under the supervision of Rana Reider.
He mentioned the potential move in a recent video, which has since been deleted, on his YouTube channel Let’s Talk-With Dr. Greg.
Now, Haughton has released a statement on his Facebook page clarifying that the five-time Olympic champion has, in fact, not been training with the club but is, instead, in Florida getting treatment for the Achilles injury that hampered her 2024 season.
“On Thursday I posted a video entitled Elaine Thompson Herah has found a new home, which in my mind was very good news. The day before I dropped the video, I received a call stating that Elaine was in Florida getting treatment and she was also a part of a particular training camp, I then made some calls to confirm the first call I got, and it was confirmed multiple times,” Haughton said in the statement.
It continued: “I even asked two of the sources how sure are you of the info and both said 90% sure which in turn I reported as such. 24 hours after dropping the video, I got a call from someone on Elaine's team, where we had a very intense conversation in the first 20-25 minutes which eventually ended up being a very enlightening conversation.
At the end of the day, I respected the fact the call was made, and I also appreciated the fact that they took the time to listen to what I had to say regarding my intentions behind it all. It must be said that the personnel from Elaine's team stated that the video was not completely accurate and adamantly refuted any claims being made about Elaine having an official new camp...
Yes, Elaine is in Florida getting treatment, yes Elaine may have associates that are associated with the camp in question, but let it be heard here as I set the record straight, Elaine has not found a new home plain and simple.”
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