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• Broadbell, Peters, Camacho-Quinn register wins as Caribbean enjoys fairly good Lausanne outing

  Grenada’s javelin bronze medallist Anderson Peters and Jamaica’s 100m hurdles bronze medallist Rasheed Broadbell continued their rich vein of form from the Paris Olympic Games as they secured victories on what was a fairly decent outing for Caribbean athletes at the Wanda Diamond League Meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.

  Peters launched the instrument to a new meet record of 90.61m to better the previous best of 90.16m set by Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott in 2015. The Grenadian stalwart won ahead of India’s Neeraj Chopra (89.49 m), with Germany’s Julian Weber (87.08m) in third.

  On the track, Broadbell again demonstrated his class to win the 110m hurdles in 13.10s, upstaging American World and Olympic champion Grant Holloway (13.14s), while compatriot Hansle Parchment (13.23s) closed well for third.

  Puerto Rico’s Olympic bronze medallist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (12.35s) was also in winning form in the women's 100m hurdles, as Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent produced a credible performance on her Diamond League debut for third. Nugent, who failed to finish at the Paris Olympic Games after hitting an obstacle, clocked 12.38s, the same as second-placed American Grace Stark.

  Reigning World champion Danielle Williams (12.53s) was fifth.

  

  Puerto Rico's Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won the women's 100m hurdles.

  Jamaica’s trio of Rushell Clayton (53.32s), Janieve Russell (54.38s), and Andrenette Knight (54.93s) were second, third, and fourth, respectively, in the women’s 400m hurdles won by Dutchwoman Femke Bol in a new meet record of 52.25s. She lowered her previous best of 52.76s set last year.

  Another Jamaican, Tia Clayton (11.10s), placed fifth in the women’s 100m, won by Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith in a season’s best 10.88s. American Tamari Davis (10.97s) and Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji (11.06s) were second and third.

  Meanwhile, Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando (19.94s) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards (21.10s), both season’s best times, were fourth and fifth in the men’s 200m. The event was won by Botswana’s Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in 19.64s, ahead of the American duo of Erriyon Knighton (19.78s) and Fred Kerley (19.86s).

  In the women’s 800m, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shafiqua Maloney (1:59.28) and Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin (1:59.68), were sixth and eighth, respectively, as Kenya’s Olympic bronze medallist Mary Moraa (1:57.91) finished tops. Great Britain’s Georgia Bell (1:58.53) and Jemma Reekie (1:58.73) were second and third, respectively.

  

  Jamaicans Rushell Clayton and Janieve Russell were second and third in the women's 400m hurdles.

  Elsewhere in the field, Olympic silver medallist Wayne Pinnock secured Jamaica’s best finish in the long jump as he cut the sand at 8.01m, again finishing behind Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou (8.06m) of Greece, while Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer (7.99m) was third.

  The other Jamaican competitors, Tajay Gayle (7.92m) and Carey McLeod (7.82 m), were fourth and seventh, respectively.

  Danniel Thomas-Dodd’s struggles continued as she placed fifth in the women’s shot with a best heave of 18.78m. The event was won by American Chase Jackson, who achieved a season’s best mark of 20.64s to top Germany’s Olympic champion Yemisi Ogunleye (19.55m) and Canada’s Sarah Mitton (19.52m).

  Jamaica’s Lamara Distin only managed to clear 1.88m for seventh in the women’s high jump, which was won by Urkaine’s Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh at a height of 1.99m. Australia’s Olympic bronze and silver medallists, Eleanor Patterson (1.96m) and Nicola Olyslagers (1.92m), were second and third, respectively.

• Brendon Rodney: From Olympic gold to nurturing the next generation at G.C. Foster College

  Brendon Rodney, fresh off his gold medal triumph as part of Canada’s 4x100m relay team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is set to embark on a new chapter that bridges his illustrious sprinting career with his passion for education and athlete development. The Toronto-born sprinter, whose parents hail from Jamaica, has been appointed as the Assistant Athletics Director at G.C. Foster College of Sport in Spanish Town, Jamaica—a role that not only brings him closer to his roots but also allows him to shape the future of athletics on the island.

  For Rodney, this appointment is more than just a job; it’s a homecoming. Although he’s represented Canada on the world stage, including winning an Olympic silver medal at Tokyo 2020 and a world championship gold in 2022, Rodney has always maintained a deep connection to Jamaica. Training on the island under the watchful eye of Maurice Wilson, a veteran coach with a storied history at the Olympics and World Championships, Rodney has experienced first-hand the rich athletic culture that Jamaica is known for.

  But Rodney’s connection to Jamaica extends beyond the track. Over the past year, he’s not only honed his speed and technique on Jamaican soil, but he’s also immersed himself in the academic community at G.C. Foster College, teaching courses and sharing his expertise with the next generation of athletes. His involvement with the college deepened further when he partnered with the Canadian High Commission in Kingston to launch the Brendon Rodney Foundation, providing scholarships to deserving students—a testament to his commitment to education and empowerment.

  

  In his new role at G.C. Foster, Rodney is poised to leverage his experiences as an elite athlete and his academic background—a master’s degree in exercise science from Long Island University—to elevate the college’s athletics program. His responsibilities will be far-reaching: from overseeing the development of student-athletes to ensuring that the college’s sports teams, coaches, and facilities meet international standards. Perhaps most importantly, Rodney will play a key role in recruiting talent and managing the disbursement of scholarships, helping to provide opportunities for young athletes to thrive.

  "G.C. Foster has been more than just a training ground for me; it’s become a part of who I am as an athlete and a mentor," Rodney shared, reflecting on his journey. "I’m excited to take on this role and to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career."

  Rodney’s journey from the Olympic podium to the halls of G.C. Foster College is a powerful narrative of full-circle fulfillment. It underscores the importance of investing in the next generation and the profound impact that athletes can have when they transition from competition to mentorship. His presence at G.C. Foster is not just about enhancing the college’s reputation but about instilling a sense of possibility and ambition in young athletes who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

  As Rodney takes on this leadership role, he carries with him the hopes of nurturing the next wave of Jamaican and Caribbean athletes, ensuring that the legacy of excellence he has contributed to on the track continues to thrive off it as well. The transition from sprinter to educator and administrator is a testament to his dedication, not just to his sport, but to the broader community that has always been part of his journey.

   

   

   

   

   

• Veronica Campbell-Brown hosts successful health and wellness fair at Vere Technical High School

  Multiple Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown, through her Veronica Campbell-Brown (VCB) Foundation, hosted a highly successful Back to School Health Fair and Wellness event at her alma mater, Vere Technical High School, on Saturday, August 17. The event, held in partnership with Jamaica's Ministry of Health, saw hundreds of community members receiving essential health services ahead of the new school year.

  The health fair provided a wide range of medical services, with professionals conducting 115 medical exams, 95 immunizations, 50 cholesterol checks, and 42 HIV tests.  Students also received back-to-school supplies. The comprehensive nature of the event underscored the foundation’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community, particularly for students preparing to return to school.

  In a statement from the VCB Foundation, organizers expressed their gratitude to all those who contributed to the event’s success: "A huge thank you to our incredible partners, volunteers, and everyone who made our Back to School Health Fair and Wellness event a success. Over 200 people served and 440-plus services offered. Together, we are building a healthier and stronger community! We are looking forward to next year!"

  

  The non-profit organization, which is dedicated to empowering the next generation by providing educational resources and mentorship to high school students in need, continues to make a significant impact through initiatives like the health fair. Campbell-Brown, who is a two-time Olympic 200m gold medalist, and her husband Omar were actively involved as volunteers, offering support and spreading joy among the several hundred patrons in attendance. The event also featured entertainment, adding to the positive atmosphere and making it a memorable occasion for all involved.

  Reflecting on the event, Campbell-Brown expressed her gratitude and ambition for future editions. "I am grateful for the support of the VCB Foundation. Let us make the event even more impactful next year," she said.

  The success of the health fair was made possible by the generous support of several organizations, including Adidas, Juici Patties, Miss Birdie Jamaica, Grace Foods, and New Fortress Energy, among others. Their contributions helped ensure that the event could offer a wide range of services to the community.

  As a past student of Vere Technical High School, which dominated the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships during her time, Campbell-Brown’s commitment to giving back to her community through her foundation continues to leave a lasting legacy. The Back to School Health Fair and Wellness event is just one of many initiatives through which the VCB Foundation is making a positive difference in the lives of young Jamaicans.