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• Jaydon Hibbert undergoes surgery after battling through Olympics with torn meniscus

  Jaydon Hibbert, one of the brightest young stars in track and field, has undergone minor surgery to repair a torn meniscus, an injury he sustained during the Jamaica National Championships. Despite the setback, Hibbert still managed to compete at the Paris Olympics, narrowly missing out on a medal while performing with the injury.

  The torn meniscus occurred when Hibbert landed in an under-prepared pit during the Jamaica national championships, leading to an injury that required careful management in the lead-up to the Olympics. His coach, Travis Geopfert, who is now the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Kansas State University, expressed immense pride in Hibbert’s ability to battle through the pain and deliver a commendable performance in Paris.

  "Yeah, we had to work through it, man. We had to modify things a little bit. I'm just really proud of him in his efforts, you know, because he was not 100 percent, but man, he battled. He put it out there. He tried, just off the medal, which is really good considering the circumstance," said Geopfert.

  Hibbert's grit and determination were on full display despite being physically compromised, showcasing his potential as one of the sport's rising stars. Following the Olympics, Hibbert underwent surgery to clean up the meniscus, a procedure Geopfert described as "not major." The young jumper is expected to make a full recovery and will be "good to go" once rehabilitated.

  Although Hibbert’s injury forced him to miss the recently concluded World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, Geopfert remains optimistic about his future.

  Geopfert also praised his other jumpers who competed in Paris, including Wayne Pinnock, who won silver in the men’s long jump, Carey McLeod, who made the long jump final, and Jermaine Beckford, a high jump finalist. Geopfert commended their perseverance in the face of adversity.

  "I'm really proud of the group. Life is not perfect, and injuries are part of the sport. Managing the imperfections of the body is part of it too. What I'm most proud of is how these guys managed everything and fought through adversity. They competed extremely well at the Olympic Games," Geopfert said.

  While Pinnock’s silver medal and the presence of multiple finalists were significant achievements, Geopfert emphasized that the high standards of the group always push them to aim higher. Despite injuries and other challenges, the coach was "nothing but proud" of how his athletes performed on the biggest stage in the sport.

• Shashalee Forbes, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, and Orlando Bennett dominate at Palio Citta Meeting in Italy

  Jamaican athletes Shashalee Forbes, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, and Orlando Bennett delivered standout performances, claiming victories in their respective events at the LX Palio Citta Della Quercia Meeting in Rovereto, Italy, on Tuesday.

  Forbes, who was a semi-finalist in the 100m at the Paris Olympics, showcased her speed once again by winning the women’s 100m dash in 11.17 seconds. She edged out fellow Jamaican Natasha Morrison, who was a close second in 11.22 seconds. Morrison narrowly beat the USA’s Celera Barnes, who clocked 11.23 to take third place.

  McPherson, a seasoned competitor nearing the end of her illustrious career, ran a season’s best of 50.65 seconds to triumph in the women’s 400m. In a thrilling race, McPherson held off a strong challenge from Barbados’ Olympic finalist Sada Williams, who finished just behind in 50.67. Another Caribbean athlete, Shafiqua Maloney, took third with a time of 50.75, completing an all-Caribbean podium. Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams finished fifth in 51.12.

  Orlando Bennett emerged victorious in a closely contested men’s 110m hurdles, clocking 13.45 to narrowly beat the USA’s Cordell Tinch, who finished in 13.46. Roger Iribarne of Cuba rounded out the podium with a time of 13.54.

  In other notable performances, Zandrian Barnes of Jamaica finished second in the men’s 400m, running a season’s best of 45.30. Brazil’s Mathesus Lima won the race in a time of 44.99, while Belgium’s Johnathan Sacoor took third in 45.33. Rusheen McDonald of Jamaica finished fourth in 45.62, while Wendell Miller of the Bahamas was sixth in 45.74.

  In the field events, Jamaica's Romaine Beckford continued his strong post-Olympic form, finishing second in the high jump with a clearance of 2.26m. Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi took the win, clearing 2.29m. In the long jump, Jamaica's 2019 world champion Tajay Gayle also secured a second-place finish with a leap of 7.96m, just behind winner Anvar Anvarov, who jumped 7.99m. Gayle's compatriot Shawn-D Thompson also jumped 7.96m but finished third on countback.

  The performances of the Jamaican athletes in Rovereto underscored their strength on the international stage, as they continue to make their mark late in the season.

• Bahamian world-record holder Devynne Charlton ends season due to stress fracture

  Bahamian sprint hurdler Devynne Charlton has been forced to call an early end to her season after suffering a stress fracture during the 100m hurdles at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Friday, August 30. The 28-year-old, who was a finalist in the 100m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics, did not finish the race in Rome, which was won by Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent in a world-leading 12.24 seconds—a new national record.

  Charlton’s 2024 season had been nothing short of spectacular. In March, she claimed the world indoor 60m hurdles title in Glasgow, setting a new world record of 7.65 seconds in the process. This remarkable achievement marked the second time Charlton had broken the world record in 2024, having previously set a new mark of 7.67 seconds at the Millrose Games in New York in February.

  The news of Charlton’s injury and subsequent decision to halt her season was announced by her agency, Preeminence Sports Group, via Instagram on Monday. The statement read: “@dvynn_’s season comes to a halt due to a stress fracture at the Rome Diamond League. We salute her incredible efforts this year as a World Indoor Champion, world record holder and Olympic finalist. Wishing her a speedy recovery and looking forward to her return next season.”

  Charlton’s impressive achievements this year have solidified her status as one of the top hurdlers in the world. Despite the setback, the Bahamian star remains determined to recover and return stronger in the 2025 season. Fans and supporters will be eagerly awaiting her comeback as she continues to make her mark on the global stage.