(From left) Wayne Pinnock, Tajay Gayle and Carey McLeod.
There were mixed fortunes for the Caribbean men in long jump qualifying, as a Jamaican trio of Wayne Pinnock, Carey McLeod and Tajay Gayle all progressed to the final, while Bahamian LaQuan Nairn missed out on day five of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Wednesday.
It is the first time ever that Jamaica will have three athletes in the long jump final at a global athletics championships.
It was one and done for Jamaica’s Pinnock and McLeod, while Gayle took his time to get going before hitting a reasonable mark to secure a spot in the final scheduled for Thursday at 12:30pm Jamaica time.
The 22-year-old Pinnock was poetry in motion where execution is concerned, as he was perfect off the board and that propelled him to a big world-leading mark of 8.54m in a positive 1.2 metres per second reading, which left him in shock.
“The first thing was just to execute as coach told me, push off on the first six steps, maintain my transition and then just run through the board which is what I did. But when I saw the distance, I was like ‘wow’, I wasn’t expecting that, but I’ve thought of this moment every night before I go to bed,” Pinnock said after his leap.
McLeod followed suit on his try, as he also cleared the automatic qualifying mark of 8.15m, cutting the sand at 8.19m in a positive 0.5m/s wind, on his first attempt.
Meanwhile, 2019 World Champion Gayle needed two jumps to find his rhythm, cutting the sand at 7.84m and 7.68m, respectively before leaping to 8.12m in a negative 0.7m/s wind, which was good enough to get him into the final.
Cuba’s Alejandro Parada (8.13m), will also line up in the medal event.
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Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
JAAA announces Puma sponsorship renewal, calls for unity in sports development
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has officially renewed its partnership with global sportswear giant Puma, securing a deal that it claims surpasses an offer of approximately USD $6 million annually from rival Adidas. The announcement was made during the JAAA's Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 23, 2024. However, the JAAA did not reveal any details regarding the new deal.
JAAA President Garth Gayle expressed gratitude for Puma’s unwavering support, particularly during the challenging pandemic years. “Puma has been an invaluable partner, supporting grassroots initiatives, high school programs, and major national events like the Boys and Girls Championships and the Gibson Relays,” Gayle noted. “Their commitment far exceeds that of their competitors, ensuring we can continue to deliver excellence in athletics.” This renewed sponsorship, Gayle emphasized, will bolster the JAAA’s efforts to sustain Jamaica’s dominance on the global stage while fostering talent development at home.
In addition to the sponsorship announcement, the AGM saw the unopposed return of the JAAA executive, including Gayle as president. However, some changes were made to the team, reflecting a focus on inclusivity and modernization. Gayle reiterated the association's commitment to increasing athlete involvement in its operations by establishing sub-committees that accommodate their training and competition schedules. "We share the concern of those who ask for more participation by our athletes and are addressing this with structured opportunities for involvement," Gayle said.
Gayle used the platform to advocate for greater collaboration between the JAAA and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA). He urged the Minister of Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, to convene a joint meeting in the new year, emphasizing the importance of unity in advancing Jamaican sports. "The ‘Jamaica’ in the names of both associations reminds us that we serve under one flag with the development and opportunities for our athletes and sportspersons our shared commitment," Gayle stated.
Reflecting on 2024, Gayle highlighted significant milestones, including the hosting of key local events such as the JAAA/Puma Development Meet and the Jamaica National Junior & Senior Championships. Jamaican athletes also shone on the international stage, competing in six major competitions, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow and the Paris Olympics. While acknowledging challenges, Gayle celebrated the resilience and dedication of athletes and coaches. The JAAA also saluted its technical teams, volunteers, and stakeholders for their contributions, including Doctors Bruce and Blake for their work with the Athletes Integrity Unit and the Anti-Doping Commission.
As the JAAA looks to the future, Gayle emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration to build on Jamaica’s track and field legacy. He expressed optimism about upcoming initiatives, including enhanced coaching development and expanded competition opportunities at the regional and international levels.
In closing, Gayle led a moment of silence to honor members of the track and field community who passed away over the past year, affirming the JAAA’s commitment to their legacy and to fostering an environment where athletes can thrive. With the renewed Puma sponsorship, the unopposed return of the executive, and a unified vision for the future, the JAAA is well-positioned to continue driving the success of Jamaican athletics.
T&T Olympian Khalifa St Fort announces engagement
Two-time Olympian and Trinidad and Tobago track star Khalifa St Fort has announced her engagement, sharing the joyful news on social media on Sunday. The 26-year-old sprinter, who represented her country at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, shared a heartfelt post celebrating her upcoming union.
"God writes the best love stories, and ours is my favorite. ‘I have found the one whom my soul loves’ Song of Solomon 3:4," she wrote. "I can’t wait to spend forever with you. You truly are my answered prayer. I love you now and always. ?"
St Fort, known for her electrifying performances on the track, also holds a silver medal from the 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia and was a key member of Trinidad and Tobago's 4x100m relay team that won bronze at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. She is also a two-time World U20 medalist, underlining her pedigree as one of the Caribbean's premier sprinting talents.
However, the sprinter has largely stepped away from competition in recent years, focusing on her education and other personal endeavors. Her last recorded competitive appearances were in May 2022.
The announcement has been met with an outpouring of congratulations from fans and fellow athletes, celebrating the new chapter in the life of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most accomplished athletes.
Dates announced for the 2027 Pan American Games
The 2027 Pan American Games, the continent's premier multi-sport event, will take place in Lima, Peru, from July 16 to August 1, 2027, according to an announcement from the Executive Board of Panam Sports. The dates were confirmed in a letter to Federico Tong, President of the Peruvian Sports Institute, following a meeting held last week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The Peruvian government presented three possible date options—May, July, and September—for hosting the Games. After thorough deliberation, the Panam Sports Executive Board selected the July timeframe, citing its alignment with the availability of the continent’s top athletes.
“There were several factors to consider before determining the best date for the Games," said Neven Ilic, President of Panam Sports. "The proposals were analyzed, and finally, the entire Executive Board decided that it would be best to hold them in the month of July for several reasons. Perhaps the most important is that on that date we will be able to have the best athletes of the continent participating in Lima.”
This will mark the second time Lima hosts the Pan American Games, following its successful debut as host city in 2019. The Peruvian capital joins an elite group of cities to host the event twice, alongside Mexico City (1955, 1975) and Winnipeg (1967, 1999).
The Pan American Games is one of the world’s largest multi-sport events, featuring athletes from across the Americas competing in a diverse range of disciplines. The announcement of the 2027 dates sets the stage for another memorable celebration of sport and culture in Lima.
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