Alexis James (left) beams after signing her sponsorship agreement that was witnessed by Jamaica’s Sports Minister Olivia Grange (second left). Dr Thalia Lyn, founder of Island Grill and Chairperson of the NCB Foundation and Tanya Waldron-Gooden, CEO of Island Grill signees to the agreement share in the occasion.
Edward Massias
In a heartwarming ceremony held at the MICO University College campus on Marescaux Road in Kingston, Island Grill, the renowned chain of fast-food restaurants, awarded Carifta 100m hurdles champion Alexis James a four-year scholarship. James, a former student of Petersfield High School in Westmoreland, is pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree in Physical Education and Sports.
The MICO University College freshman will also be Island Grill’s first ambassador.
James, who has turned professional and will train with the Racers Track Club, has made her mark as a rising star in Jamaican athletics, notably as the 100m hurdles champion at the 2023 Carifta Games and as a silver medalist in the 100m. Her impressive journey also includes winning a silver medal in the 100m hurdles at the 2022 World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, Dr. Thalia Lyn, the founder of Island Grill and Chairperson of the NCB Foundation, expressed her pride and excitement over sponsoring James’ academic journey. She highlighted the significance of the occasion, not only in empowering a remarkable young athlete but also in reinforcing Island Grill's commitment to nurturing future leaders who will contribute significantly to Jamaica's betterment.
Dr. Lyn commended James not only for her athletic prowess but also for her dedication to academic excellence. "My Island Grill family is honored to gather here with you today along with my NCB Foundation colleagues because our hearts are bursting with pride and excitement, we're bookmarking this occasion that not only empowers a remarkable young athlete we had the pleasure of launching with at Island Grill today."
She continued, "It reinforces Island Grill's commitment to nurturing future leaders who will contribute significantly to the betterment of our nation. Jamaica has always stood tall in the world of athletics. Our island is known for producing legends and Alexis, you are swiftly joining those ranks. She continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of competitive sprinting, plus a demonstrated demonstration of heart, spirit, and determination. Yet it is not just your athletic prowess that impresses us, Alexis. Your desire to pursue academic excellence at MICO is equally inspiring, and we celebrate your balanced pursuit of excellence."
As a demonstration of their commitment, Island Grill announced the inaugural Island Grill Athletic Scholarship, valued at J$500,000 annually. This scholarship will cover tuition and board, and discussions will be held regarding nutrition support.
Dr. Lyn assured James, "And we will provide this annually until you graduate with an understanding that you maintain that lovely B average that we're proud of. Okay, and we'll help you. Don't worry, we're not just going to give you the money and, you know, leave you alone."
Dr. Lyn highlighted the importance of sending a message to young Jamaican athletes that they can excel both on the track and in the classroom. James’ scholarship embodies this message and encourages other aspiring athletes to believe in their ability to achieve greatness not only as athletes but also as scholars.
Nicole Robinson, Vice President Marketing Communication at National Commercial Bank (NCB), also played a pivotal role in supporting Alexis James's journey. Robinson revealed that Dr. Lyn approached her, requesting sponsorship support for James, which Robinson wholeheartedly embraced.
Robinson gifted James a brand new laptop and emphasized the natural synergy between NCB Foundation and James’ promising future.
She emphasized the importance of financial literacy in athletes' lives, ensuring that they have a solid financial plan for life after athletics. Robinson added, "She told me about Alexis's promise, right. She believed in her. There is a spark that I, I think all of us saw here today. It was a natural synergy for us because we're really, really focused this year on driving financial literacy. And that was really the angle that we spoke about because a lot of athletes, you know, it's, it's sad to say, they make all of this money during their career and then there's no focus on the life after athletics. So we had a conversation about her potential.”
Robinson expressed confidence in James’ immense potential and thinks she can be an advocate for NCB campaign to improve financial literacy among emerging athletes.
"I think all of us saw it today. She's passionate and she has places to go. I don't think anybody has a doubt in their mind that her name is not going to be right there beside Shelly's (Fraser-Pryce), beside Elaine (Thompson-Herah and beside Shericka's (Jackson),” Robinson remarked.
"So we're really excited to support her journey. We want to add the financial literacy or integrate the financial literacy component because we think that it's important. We want to have those types of conversations, not just with Alexis, but with young upcoming athletes. We're very involved in programs like MVP Grassroots Programme. That's a sponsorship that we have maintained over the years where we do some level of financial literacy and that's going to be a major focus for us this year.
"Through this partnership, she can become somewhat of a financial literacy advocate. So we want to pour into her. We know that she has a far way to go, and we want to be part of her journey from the very beginning."
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Michael Johnson optimistic about bright future for field events amid rise of track-centric meets
Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson, the founder of the upcoming Grand Slam Track (GST) series, is confident that field events will not be sidelined despite the emergence of track-only competitions like GST and September's all-woman Athlos NY meet. Instead, Johnson envisions a future where field events flourish in their own right, buoyed by specialized leagues and platforms.
Grand Slam Track recently announced its inaugural season for 2025, with meets scheduled in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. As excitement builds for the all-track format, concerns have surfaced about the potential marginalization of field events like the shot put, discus, javelin, and triple jump. However, responding to a query from Sportsmax.TV, Johnson dismissed these fears, offering a compelling case for optimism.
“I think you will see quite the opposite,” Johnson said. “Ryan Crouser, the Olympic champion and world record holder in the shot put, is going to start his vision for a throws league that is specifically for the throws where the fans who actually appreciate those events and understand the great athleticism that is required for those events can actually be closer to the action. And so those events don’t fall secondary to what’s happening on the track, and I have offered my support to Ryan for that.”
Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and former 200m and 400m world record holder, pointed to Crouser’s initiative as an example of how specialized leagues can elevate field events.
“So I don’t think you will see those events continue to go away. I think it’s the exact opposite,” Johnson continued. “I think that there has been inspiration around how you now create leagues for those events as well, where you can make those events more prominent.”
Field events have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with Caribbean athletes making significant strides on the global stage. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott and Grenada’s Anderson Peters have won Olympic and World Championship medals in the javelin. Jamaica's Roje Stona set an Olympic record to win gold in the discus, with compatriot Rajindra Campbell claiming shot put bronze. Dominica’s Thea LaFond made history by winning her country’s first Olympic medal, a gold in the triple jump, ahead of Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts, a two-time World Championship silver medalist.
Johnson believes specialized leagues and tailored events are key to ensuring that these athletes and their disciplines receive the recognition they deserve.
“Right now, they’re getting lost in a huge stadium where fans far away can’t actually see and appreciate the athleticism,” Johnson explained. “So I think that this [Grand Slam Track] paves the way for a brighter future for the field events.”
Grand Slam Track’s inaugural season promises to bring a fresh, dynamic format to track events, while Johnson’s endorsement of field-event-specific leagues highlights his broader vision for athletics as a sport. With initiatives like Crouser’s throws league on the horizon, Johnson’s optimism reflects a shift toward creating dedicated platforms for all disciplines to shine.
The 2025 GST series, set to kick off with a meet in Kingston from April 4-, marks an exciting evolution for the sport. As Johnson’s vision takes shape, the future appears brighter not just for track athletes but for the field-event stars whose talents deserve a stage of their own.
Jaydon Hibbert honoured and 'humbled' with inaugural JOA Olympic Spirit Award
Rising athletics star Jaydon Hibbert was humbled and deeply honoured to receive the first-ever Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Olympic Spirit Award during a glittering ceremony at the Terra Nova Hotel on Saturday night.
The award, introduced to celebrate athletes who exemplify the core values of Olympism—courage, perseverance, and sportsmanship—recognizes Hibbert’s remarkable resilience and determination at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Despite battling discomfort during competition, Hibbert delivered an exceptional performance in the men’s triple jump, narrowly missing the podium by 0.03 centimeters to finish fourth. At just 19 years old, he was the youngest competitor in the field, showcasing composure and tenacity beyond his years.
The JOA’s official citation praised Hibbert’s efforts, describing him as "dauntless and with inborn patriotism," commending his ability to “give it his all” despite physical challenges. It continued:
"The heart of a gladiator will always beat with the lifeblood of a champion, and Jaydon is of that mettle. The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) applauds Jaydon Hibbert, a distinguished brother of our household and our first Olympic Spirit awardee."
Hibbert, who is also a nominee for the World Athletics Rising Star Award for the second consecutive year, expressed gratitude and humility in his acceptance speech.
"To be recognized in this way is truly humbling," he said. "The Olympic Games were a test of my spirit, and I’m proud to represent Jamaica on and off the field. This award serves as motivation for what’s to come."
Christopher Samuda, President of the JOA, highlighted the importance of the award during his remarks at the ceremony, underscoring its role in celebrating not just athletic excellence but the qualities of perseverance and character.
"The award not only recognizes athletic excellence but also celebrates the spirit of perseverance and sportsmanship that transcends the playing field," Samuda said. "Jaydon's inclusion underscores the JOA’s commitment to celebrating not only athletic success but also the core values of Olympism – character, courage, and unyielding grit, the true essence of the Olympic spirit."
The ceremony also honored Jamaica’s 2024 Paris Olympic medalists, but Hibbert’s recognition stood out as a poignant reminder of the Olympic spirit that defines true champions. As the applause echoed in the room, it was clear that Jaydon Hibbert’s journey has only just begun, and his story continues to inspire.
Not so fast: Haughton says Thompson-Herah in Florida for treatment on Achilles; not joining Tumbleweed Track Club
Earlier on Saturday, Sportsmax.tv published a story based on the words of three-time Olympic medallist, Dr. Gregory Haughton, suggesting that Elaine Thompson-Herah was training with the Tumbleweed Track Club in Jacksonville, Florida under the supervision of Rana Reider.
He mentioned the potential move in a recent video, which has since been deleted, on his YouTube channel Let’s Talk-With Dr. Greg.
Now, Haughton has released a statement on his Facebook page clarifying that the five-time Olympic champion has, in fact, not been training with the club but is, instead, in Florida getting treatment for the Achilles injury that hampered her 2024 season.
“On Thursday I posted a video entitled Elaine Thompson Herah has found a new home, which in my mind was very good news. The day before I dropped the video, I received a call stating that Elaine was in Florida getting treatment and she was also a part of a particular training camp, I then made some calls to confirm the first call I got, and it was confirmed multiple times,” Haughton said in the statement.
It continued: “I even asked two of the sources how sure are you of the info and both said 90% sure which in turn I reported as such. 24 hours after dropping the video, I got a call from someone on Elaine's team, where we had a very intense conversation in the first 20-25 minutes which eventually ended up being a very enlightening conversation.
At the end of the day, I respected the fact the call was made, and I also appreciated the fact that they took the time to listen to what I had to say regarding my intentions behind it all. It must be said that the personnel from Elaine's team stated that the video was not completely accurate and adamantly refuted any claims being made about Elaine having an official new camp...
Yes, Elaine is in Florida getting treatment, yes Elaine may have associates that are associated with the camp in question, but let it be heard here as I set the record straight, Elaine has not found a new home plain and simple.”
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