Deon Hemmings won the 400m hurdles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games becoming the first woman from Jamaica or the Caribbean to win Olympic gold.
Deon Hemmings-McCatty, the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic gold medal, is to be honoured for her impact on local athletics and inspiration to young athletes, at Thursday’s launch of 50 Days Afire, a book chronicling impactful events in Jamaica’s track and field at GC Foster College in St Catherine.
A documentary 'Finding Foster: The Search for Jamaica’s Lost Sprint Hero' will also be a feature at the launch of the seminal publication by publisher Michael A. Grant and track and field writer, commentator and historian Hubert Lawrence.
I can’t say no,” the history making Olympian said in accepting her invitation to the event, “I will be there.”
The special award was initiated by local gaming brand AnyBet, the title sponsor of the book, film and event. Grants for research and production were also provided by NCB Capital Markets, Sherwin-Williams, Sports Development Foundation and Tastee Ltd., while other sponsorship was provided by GC Foster College, Supreme Outdoor Advertising, TrackAlerts.com and WISYNCO Ltd.
Fifty Days Afire, is the third collaboration between Grant and Lawrence. It chronicles the 50 most significant performances by Jamaican athletes over 115 years of competition, beginning with GC Foster’s exploits in the United Kingdom in 1908.
In addition to never-before-seen photographs of Foster as an athlete and pictures representing all the featured races, the book addresses issues of class, nationalism and Jamaica’s love of sprinting, while discussing reasons for the growing dominance of the island’s athletes on the world stage. Readers will learn how influential those 50 races have been to the overall development of the sport, even though they do not all feature victories or records.
'Finding Foster' is Grant’s brainchild. He uncovered important information and photographs of Jamaican pioneering sprinter and coach Gerald Claude “GC” Foster while conducting research for the book.
With a run-time of 30 minutes, the production features analysis by Lawrence and sports broadcaster Kayon Raynor and follows Foster on his quest to compete at the 1908 London Olympics, travelling alone on his own funds.
With the help of British coach Harry Andrews, Foster was able to turn his failed bid at Olympic glory into a spectacular three-month tour of Great Britain in which he competed prodigiously, beating the British champion and other Olympians in several meets.
While there, Foster became a favourite of the British sporting press and often addressed adoring crowds following his races.
In addition to honouring Hemmings, there will also be the unveiling of a portrait of Foster as a young athlete. The authors will also read from as well as sign books on sale at the venue.
Penn Relays Meet Director anticipates thrilling High School Boys 4x400m relay showdown: Will Bullis break the Jamaican dominance?
Aaron Robison, the Meet Director of the Penn Relays, is brimming with excitement ahead of the Championship of America 4x400m relays for High School Boys, set to unfold at Franklin Field over the next three days. The 128th staging of the prestigious meet begins on Thursday, April 25 and concludes on Saturday, April 27.
The meet director since 2021, Robison predicts a spectacular display of athletic talent, particularly focusing on the highly anticipated showdown in the high school boys' 4x400m relay on the final day of the meet.
"The high-school boys 4x400m is going to be unbelievable!" exclaimed Robison. "Five teams have run 3:10 or faster, four of those are Jamaican, and then you've got Bullis High School with Quincy Wilson on the anchor; I'm telling you, that story is going to write itself."
Robison highlighted Wilson from Bullis High School, whose outstanding performance at the Florida Relays with a time of 45.19 seconds has created a buzz leading up to the Penn Relays. Wilson's impressive anchor leg last year, clocking a 45.06 split, is a testament to his exceptional talent and determination.
"He is one of those kids that has this fire," Robison remarked. "If he takes the baton as the anchor and he is in third or fourth, we're going to see something special as all four or five of those teams come through. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see three or four teams run 3:05. It's going to be crazy."
Reflecting on the historical dominance of Jamaican high schools in this event, Robison acknowledged the formidable challenge facing USA high schools. The last USA high school to win the 4x400m Championship of America was Long Beach Poly back in 2007. The last 16 years have seen Jamaican schools dominate the event, and that dominance could extend into a 17th year.
Despite this, Bullis High School, boasting a recent time of 3:11.87, is poised to challenge the Jamaican powerhouses. Robison expressed optimism about Wilson's potential impact on the relay's outcome, particularly against strong competitors from schools like Kingston College (3:07.65) and Jamaica College (3:08.79), known for their impressive 4x400m relay performances.
“If he gets a baton in his hand with people to chase, who knows what he can run…whether it’s JC or even Hydel that has run 3:10, with kids that have also run 45-point, so we’re going to see something special.
"We just pray for good weather and good health," Robison concluded.
Elaine Thompson-Herah set for season debut at USATF Bermuda Grand Prix
Excitement is mounting in Bermuda as double-double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah is set to make her season debut at the upcoming USATF Bermuda Grand Prix on Sunday, April 28. Thompson-Herah, who trains under Coach Reynaldo Walcott at Elite Performance in Kingston, Jamaica, arrives as the reigning fastest woman alive after clocking a stunning 10.54 seconds in the 100m in Oregon in August 2021.
Thompson-Herah made history at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by claiming gold in the 100m and 200m events, becoming the only woman ever to achieve this remarkable feat. Her dominance extended to the relay events, where she secured gold in the 4x100m relay in Tokyo, joining the elite company of Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner in completing a triple clean sweep of sprint medals at the Olympics.
Anticipation is palpable among Bermuda's Jamaican community, with Yackeisha Weir, president of the Jamaican Association of Bermuda (JAB), expecting a strong showing of support for Thompson-Herah at the Flora Duffy Stadium. Weir emphasized the significance of Thompson-Herah's presence, particularly with the upcoming Paris Olympics on the horizon.
"The anticipation is high this year, especially as we have the fastest woman alive competing," said Weir in an interview with BerNews. "With the Olympic Games taking place this summer, Bermuda has a chance to see a preview of Paris. It’s an honour to have Elaine on the island."
The USATF Bermuda Grand Prix, slated to be broadcast live on NBC from 5 pm to 7 pm, promises to be a thrilling showcase of world-class athletics, with Elaine Thompson-Herah headlining a star-studded lineup.
Thirteen coaches achieve World Athletics Level 1 certification in Track & Field
Thirteen dedicated track and field coaches have reached a significant milestone by successfully completing the World Athletics Coaches Education Certification System (CECS) Level 1 Program. This achievement underscores their commitment to advancing their coaching skills and expertise in athletics.
Under the new CECS model, candidates underwent an intensive online course managed by World Athletics, culminating in a practical assessment conducted by preselected assessors through the partnership between the Jamaica Track & Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
Garth Gayle, President of the JAAA, highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, "This is a new arrangement between the JAAA and the Coaches Association in working together to get all our coaches certified." He emphasized that completion of the Safe Guarding Module will soon become mandatory for recognition as a track and field coach in Jamaica, aligning with World Athletics standards.
Among the newly certified coaches are notable former athletes such as Andre Wellington (Kingston College) and Ricardo Cunningham (Munro College), along with accomplished coaches including Ransford Spaulding (John Mills All Age), Jeffrey Ellis (Herbert Morrison), James Hill (Iris Gelley Primary), and Rosalee Wedderburn (Emann Prep), the only female in the cohort.
David Riley, President of the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association, welcomed the coaches into the association, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing. "The journey has just begun," remarked Riley, urging the coaches to uphold high standards in coaching to elevate Jamaica's performance on the regional and global stage.
The cohort of certified coaches also includes Itego Campbell (St Thomas Tech), Andre Barnaby (Kingston College), Noel Wedderburn (John Rollins Success Primary), Orane Smith (Mt St. Josephs Catholic), Dwayne Pinnock, DuWayne Webb (Elite), and Chad Edwards.
Looking ahead, two additional assessments are planned for July and November this year, providing further opportunities for coaches to advance through the World Athletics Coaches Education Certification System, which comprises three levels catering to coaches of various age groups: Level 1 for Youth Coach (U16), Level 2 for Junior Coach (U20), and Level 3 for Senior Coach (20+).
The successful completion of the Level 1 Program marks a significant achievement for these coaches and underscores Jamaica's commitment to developing and nurturing coaching talent in track and field, ultimately enriching the country's athletic landscape.
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