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• 'Of course he will be there' - Vitinha confident Ronaldo will feature at 2026 World Cup

  Cristiano Ronaldo is "not going to give up" and will feature at the 2026 World Cup, according to Portugal team-mate Vitinha.

  The Selecao skipper holds the international record for the most caps (216) and most goals (133) since making his senior bow in August 2003.

  Ronaldo also captained Portugal to their triumphs at Euro 2016 and the inaugural Nations League three years later.

  The 39-year-old has appeared in five separate editions of the World Cup between 2006 and 2022, yet football's biggest prize has eluded him.

  However, he was subjected to widespread criticism after failing to score at Euro 2024, where Portugal bowed out at the quarter-final stage after losing to France on penalties, while many claim his presence is now hindering his nation's progress.

  Ronaldo will be 41 when the World Cup is held in North America, but international colleague Vitinha is adamant the Al-Nassr forward will be present for their country.

  "39 years old and still a starter for the national team, I have no explanation for this longevity," the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder told RMC podcast Rothen s’enflamme.

  "He has already said it, and I imagine it's the professionalism he has in everything he does. In the morning, in the evening, every day of his career, it's incredible.

  "I can imagine the efforts and sacrifices he must make and has made. And I also imagine that's what has kept him in this condition at 39 years old.

  "It's a privilege for me. We are small, we are children, we dream of playing with him one day, and it's happening.

  "Luckily, I've had quite a few years to enjoy the national team with him. Of course, he will be there [at the 2026 World Cup]; he's not going to give up."

• Jamaica track and field coaches to be issued two-year licenses starting January 2025

  Beginning January 1, 2025, track and field coaches in Jamaica will need a two-year renewable license to continue practicing, as per the new regulations set by the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). This licensing shift aligns with changes by World Athletics, which now requires coaches' certification to be renewed every two years based on evidence of continued education.

  The new regulations were outlined at a recent JATAFCA meeting, where Ralph Mouchbahani from the World Athletics Coaching Education Department explained the changes in the Coaches Education and Certification System. Mouchbahani clarified that all World Athletics certifications, previously valid indefinitely, will now expire after two years. “All certifications of World Athletics are not valid for a lifetime anymore. They will need to be renewed after two years to maintain their validity,” he said.

  Garth Gayle, President of the JAAA, welcomed the updates and expressed strong support for this structured approach to coaching. Speaking at the meeting, Gayle confirmed that the JAAA and JATAFCA have agreed to give the Coaches Association administrative responsibility for the Coaches Education Program. “The new program is about making you better individuals to produce top-class athletes, for which Jamaica is well known worldwide,” Gayle stated, noting that the shift aims to further professionalize coaching in Jamaica.

  As part of the new system, previously certified coaches must complete the World Athletics Safeguarding course and pay a license fee to transition into the updated program. Meanwhile, new coaches will need to complete one of the various World Athletics courses to qualify for initial certification. All coaches, regardless of experience, will have to participate in Continuous Education (CE) to earn credits that will be required for license renewal.

  To accumulate these CE credits, coaches can attend workshops, seminars, and courses hosted by a variety of recognized organizations, including World Athletics, JAAA, JATAFCA, Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine, JADCO, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Sports, INSPORTS, and other Member Federations. Beginning in January 2026, coaches will also be required to submit a police record to renew their licenses.

  David Riley, President of JATAFCA, alongside veteran instructor Roy Thomas, who both recently completed the World Athletics Level 2 Lecturers Course, will oversee the rollout of the new Coaching Education Content for Jumps, Throws, Sprints, and Hurdles. Riley provided insight into the new system’s structure, which allows coaches to achieve World Athletics certification at three levels:

  Level 1: Youth Coach (U16)
  Level 2: Junior Coach (U20)
  Level 3: Senior Coach (20+)
  Level 1 certification can be achieved by completing an online self-driven course, which will serve as the prerequisite for an initial license upon completion of an in-person assessment by JATAFCA. The next assessment is scheduled for November 15 in Kingston, providing a final opportunity for coaches to gain initial licensing compliance before the new regulations take effect in January.

  Through these changes, Jamaica’s coaching landscape is set to see significant professional development, ensuring that track and field coaches across the island meet rigorous international standards.

   

   

   

   

   

• Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred finishes second in social media vote for World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year

   

  Saint Lucia’s Olympic 100m champion, Julien Alfred, has finished second in the social media fan vote for the World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year, as reported by the St. Lucia Times. The fan voting, which closed on Monday, was conducted across platforms including X, Instagram, and Facebook, where Alfred made an impressive showing among the world’s top athletes.

  At the close of voting, the USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone led the social media poll with a combined total nearing 190,000 votes, primarily driven by her strong Instagram performance. Alfred finished with 126,906 votes, securing her position ahead of Kipyegon, who amassed 98,000 votes, and Thomas, who rounded out the top with just over 92,000 votes.

  Alfred dominated the Facebook poll, collecting 37,000 votes to lead that platform. She was closely followed by Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, who secured 35,000 votes on Facebook. Kipyegon, a standout 1500m runner with three Olympic titles and a world record in her event, was Alfred’s main competition, as no other athlete came close to their tally, with the next highest reaching only 18,000 votes.

  Instagram proved decisive for the vote, as USA’s 400m hurdles world record holder and Olympic champion, McLaughlin-Levrone, surged ahead with over 180,000 votes, taking a commanding lead. Alfred, alongside 200m Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and Dominican Republic’s 400m gold medalist Marileidy Paulino, each garnered over 80,000 votes on the platform.

  X (formerly known as Twitter) saw lower voting figures overall, with Kipyegon gaining nearly 15,000 votes, followed by Beatrice Chebet, a 5K and 10K champion and world record holder in the 10K, with just over 5,000 votes. Alfred received more than 2,500 votes on the platform.

  The social media vote, however, accounts for just 25 per cent of the final result, with the World Athletics Council’s vote contributing 50 per cent and the World Athletics Family’s vote adding the remaining 25 per cent. The top two nominees will be invited to the World Athletics Gala in Monaco this December, with the finalists determined by November 4. At that point, a final fan vote will be held on Inside Track, offering registered users another opportunity to weigh in on the selection of the World Athletes of the Year.