Related items

• Defending champion Kerrica Hill fastest through to 100m hurdles semis at World U-20 Champs; Hodge, Douglas among winners in 200m heats

  Defending champion Kerrica Hill was the fastest woman through to the semi-finals of the Women’s 100m hurdles on day three of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru on Thursday.

  The 19-year-old, who has raced sparingly this season, produced a comfortable 13.18 to win the first of eight heats on Thursday morning.

  Joining her in the semis will be Barbados’ Maya Alexis Rollins and Jamaica’s Habiba Harris who ran 13.71 and 13.74 to finish fourth and second in heats eight and seven, respectively.

  The Men’s sprint hurdles saw Jamaicans Richard Hall and Daniel Beckford both advance to the semi-finals.

  Hall was the tenth-fastest qualifier overall after running 13.58 to win the third heat while Beckford advanced in a non-automatic spot after running 13.74 for fourth in heat one.

  Elsewhere, 100m silver medallist Adaejah Hodge was the fastest through to the 200m semi-finals after winning her heat in 23.19.

  Jamaica’s Shanoya Douglas and Sabrina Dockery also advanced to the semis scheduled for later on Thursday.

  Douglas ran 23.51 to comfortably win her heat while Dockery ran 23.80 for second in hers.

  In the Men’s equivalent, Guyana’s Jackson Clarke won heat two in 21.37 to advance while Bahamian Carlos Brown Jr finished second in heat six in 21.31 to get through.

  Barbados’ Aragon Straker (21.23) and Jamaica’s Romario Hines (21.35) both advanced as non-automatic qualifiers.

   

• JOA President Samuda and Minister Grange express condolences following George Rhoden’s passing

  Jamaica's sporting community continues to mourn the passing of Olympic gold medalist George Rhoden on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the age of 97. Rhoden, the last surviving member of Jamaica's legendary 4x400m relay team that won gold at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, leaves behind a legacy of excellence that has deeply impacted Jamaican athletics.

  In the wake of his passing, Jamaica Olympic Association President Christopher Samuda and Jamaica’s Minister of Sport Olivia Grange have expressed their heartfelt condolences to Rhoden’s family, friends, and the wider athletic community.

  President Samuda reflected on Rhoden’s life with admiration, highlighting his commitment, resilience, and the pride he took in representing Jamaica on the global stage.

  “A life lived nobly and with national pride on the track. A Morgan State University alumnus, who studied and learnt lessons of commitment, resilience, and excellence which he exemplified in his golden exploits in the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games and preceding Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. A Jamaican who understood the value of legacy creation in sport as a critical element of nation building," Samuda said.

  He emphasized that Rhoden's life and achievements serve as an inspiration for future generations of athletes, illustrating that greatness is within reach for those who are determined.

  "Olympian George Rhoden has bequeathed, generously, to the athletic world a script that we can become what we will ourselves to be and that in any endeavour your footprints will blueprint the length and greatness of your stride," Samuda added.

  "My heartfelt regrets to his family who mourn his passing amidst a celebration of a life characterized by values in sport and a pilgrimage on the track, the end of which will continue to inspire the beginning of many a journey by youth."

  

  Minister Grange also paid tribute to Rhoden, recognizing his pivotal role in Jamaican track and field history and his enduring impact on the sport.

  “It’s so sad that Vincent George Rhoden, the last of the celebrated quartet that won the gold medal for Jamaica in the mile relay at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, has left us,” Minister Grange said.

  She recalled the historic victory of Rhoden and his teammates Herb McKenley, Les Laing, and Arthur Wint in Helsinki, where they not only won gold but set a new world record in the process.

  “The team of George Rhoden, Herb McKenley, Les Laing, and Arthur Wint took the gold in world record-breaking time in Helsinki. This they did after their disappointment in the London Olympics in 1948 when Arthur Wint pulled up in the race. Of note also is the fact that before the relay, George had beaten his close friend, Herb McKenley, to win the gold medal in the 400m,” Grange reflected.

  Minister Grange also pointed out Rhoden’s significant achievements prior to the Olympics, including his world record in the 400m in 1950, a performance that set the stage for Jamaica’s future successes in track and field.

  “There is no doubt that Vincent George Rhoden played his part in paving the way for future generations of Jamaican track athletes, who have certainly not let him down,” she said.

   Expressing her condolences, she added, “My most sincere condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and associates. A sprinter par excellence but whose long life was more like a marathon. Rest in peace, Vincent George Rhoden.”

  George Rhoden’s passing marks the end of an era for Jamaican athletics, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations of athletes as they strive to emulate his achievements and uphold the proud tradition of Jamaican excellence on the track.

   

   

   

   

• Amir Thompson, son of Olympians Obadele Thompson and Marion Jones, commits to University of Texas

  Amir Thompson, the 16-year-old son of Barbadian Olympian Obadele Thompson and American sprint legend Marion Jones, has committed to the University of Texas for the upcoming academic year. With impressive personal bests of 10.50 seconds in the 100m and 21.12 seconds in the 200m, Amir is already showing signs of following in the footsteps of his illustrious parents.

   Amir’s father, Obadele Thompson, is a renowned sprinter who won the bronze medal in the 100m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Obadele's Olympic success was preceded by a stellar collegiate career at the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP), where he won four individual NCAA sprint titles and set two NCAA records. He also set world records in the 55m and the World Junior 100m. Obadele's achievements earned him induction into several Halls of Fame, including the UTEP Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2007, and the UTEP Athletics and Drake Relays Halls of Fame in 2011. Beyond athletics, Obadele graduated summa cum laude from UTEP in economics and marketing and later earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Texas School of Law. He currently practices international arbitration and litigation.

   Amir’s mother, Marion Jones, is one of the most famous sprinters of her generation. She won gold at the 1997 World Championships in the 100m and again at the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Spain. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Jones initially won three gold medals and two bronze medals, but these were later stripped after she admitted to lying to federal investigators about her knowledge of performance-enhancing drugs during the BALCO scandal.

   Despite the challenges faced by his parents, Amir is carving out his own path in the world of athletics. His commitment to the University of Texas marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his burgeoning career. The University of Texas has a storied history in track and field, and with the guidance of top coaches and access to world-class facilities, Amir is well-positioned to develop his talents further.

   Amir’s decision to attend the University of Texas is a nod to his father’s legacy, as Obadele also pursued his legal education at the University of Texas School of Law after his successful athletic career. The younger Thompson will now have the opportunity to build on his father’s legacy while forging his own identity in the sport.

   As he prepares to join the Longhorns, Amir Thompson carries the weight of a storied lineage but also the promise of a bright future. The track and field community will be watching closely as he begins his collegiate journey, eager to see how this young talent will develop under the guidance of one of the top athletic programs in the United States.