The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has unveiled its formidable team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. The team, comprising over 60 athletes, is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.
Leading the charge is sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will make her fifth Olympic appearance after debuting in Beijing in 2008. Joining her is newcomer Kishane Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, who headlines a strong contingent of sprinters that includes Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake. Jamaica's men's 100m team is eager to reclaim Olympic glory after missing out on medals in Tokyo 2020.
The women's sprint squad also features exciting new talent, with Tia Clayton, Lanae-Tava Thomas, and Niesha Burgher making their Olympic debuts. Janeek Brown and Ackera Nugent, both newcomers, are set to compete in the hurdles, adding depth to Jamaica's lineup along with two-time world champion Danielle Williams.
Shericka Jackson, aiming for her individual first Olympic gold, seeks redemption after a missed opportunity in Tokyo. Jackson, along with Thomas, who has shown impressive form this season, and Niesha Burgher will bolster Jamaica's medal prospects in the 200m. Andrew Hudson and Bryan Levell will take on the men's half-lap sprint.
In the field events, NCAA National Division One high jump champion Romaine Beckford makes his Olympic debut. Beckford, who won the NCAA title in June with a season-best 2.27m, hopes to translate his collegiate success to the Olympic stage.
Lamara Distin will join Beckford in the high jump, representing the women's team.
The team also includes several standout athletes in various disciplines.
In the 400m, Junelle Bromfield, Stacey Ann Williams, and newly minted national record holder Nickisha Pryce will represent the women, with Stephenie Ann McPherson as a reserve. The men's team features Sean Bailey, Deandre Watkin, and Jevaughn Powell, with Rusheen McDonald serving as a reserve.
In middle-distance events, Natoya Goule-Toppin and Adelle Tracey will compete in the 800m, with Tracey also taking on the 1500m. On the men's side, Navasky Anderson will represent Jamaica in the 800m.
The hurdles events will see Janeek Brown, new national record holder Ackera Nugent, and Danielle Williams competing in the women's 100m hurdles, with Megan Tapper as a reserve. The men's 110m hurdles team includes Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, and Hansle Parchment, with Tyler Mason as a reserve.
For the 400m hurdles, Rushell Clayton, Shiann Salmon, and Janieve Russell will compete for the women, with Andrenette Knight as a reserve. The men's team includes Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, and Malik James-King, with Assinie Wilson as a reserve.
In the long jump, Chanice Porter and Ackelia Smith will represent the women, while Tajay Gayle, Carey McLeod, and Wayne Pinnock will compete for the men.
The triple jump team includes Shanieka Ricketts, Kimberly Williams, and Ackelia Smith for the women, and Jaydon Hibbert and Jordan Scott for the men.
In the discus throw, Samantha Hall will compete for the women, while Roje Stona, Ralford Mullings, and Traves Smikle will represent the men's team, with Fedrick Dacres as a reserve.
In the shot put, Lloydricia Cameron and Danniel Thomas-Dodd will compete for the women, with Rajindra Campbell representing the men. Nayoka Clunis will compete in the hammer throw for the women.
The relay teams feature a strong mix of talent. The women's 4x100m relay team includes Tia Clayton, Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, with Alana Reid as a reserve. The men's 4x100m relay team consists of Ackeem Blake, Jehlani Gordon, Oblique Seville, and Kishane Thompson, with Jelani Walker as a reserve.
For the women's 4x400m relay, Junelle Bromfield, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Nickisha Pryce, and Stacey Ann Williams will compete, with Ashley Williams as a reserve. The mixed 4x400m relay team includes Andrenette Knight, Charokee Young, Zandrian Barnes, and Raheem Hayles, with Stephenie Ann McPherson and Kimar Farquharson as reserves.
The selection of relay teams will be at the discretion of the Technical Leader and his team. With a mix of experienced athletes and emerging stars, Jamaica's team is set to make a significant impact at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
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.
Miami announced as host city for second Grand Slam Track event from May 2-4
Grand Slam Track™, the new global home of professional track competition, launched earlier this year by four-time US Olympic Champion Michael Johnson, today officially announced that Miami, Florida, will be the host city for the second of the four Slam events, when Grand Slam Track™ competition begins in 2025.
The Miami Slam will take place at Ansin Sports Complex, in Miramar, Florida, on May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 2025, welcoming the fastest racers in the world to compete for huge prizes.
With Miami joining Los Angeles and Kingston, Jamaica, the one additional remaining location will be announced later this week.
“South Florida knows how to host big events, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing with Grand Slam Track™,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder and Commissioner.
“This region has a real passion for sports, and I’m confident the energy here will make it a memorable experience for both the racers and the fans. We’re building something special, and Miami is going to be a huge part of that.”
With its world-renowned sports culture, South Florida is set to provide the ideal stage for Grand Slam Track™.
Nugent excited to compete at Grand Slam Track opener in front of home crowd
Jamaica’s national 100m hurdles record holder Ackera Nugent couldn’t hide her excitement when she found out that the first ever Grand Slam Track event would take place on home soil in Jamaica.
Nugent found out for the first time during an interview with Grand Slam Track founder and four-time Olympic Gold medallist Michael Johnson published on Grand Slam Track's social media pages on Monday.
The 22-year-old Olympic and World Championship finalist is one of three Jamaican athletes, alongside Roshawn Clarke and Rushell Clayton, to sign to the inaugural season of Grand Slam Track as racers.
The first of four slam events will take place at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, a stone’s throw away from Nugent’s alma mater, Excelsior High School.
“That’s a great feeling being on home soil,” Nugent said in the interview.
“I know I need to focus on the meet but the food, getting a free trip home, having my mom being able to see me, not only at trials but at another very big meet competing against ladies from different areas and countries, that would be really good,” added the reigning national champion.
The 2023 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor sprint hurdles champion also believes this experience will be good for fans in Jamaica who will get to see athletes that they never thought they would see compete live.
“I feel like the nation itself would really like that and they would come out and support because they’re going to be able to see athletes that really did not ever come to the country but they’re fans of,” she said.
Nugent is coming off a bittersweet 2024 season. On one hand, she experienced disappointment at the Paris Olympics in August, failing to finish the final.
On the other hand, she established a new national record of 12.24, the joint fourth-fastest time ever, at the Rome Diamond League later that month.
Roshawn Clarke describes signing with Grand Slam Track as a dream come true
Roshawn Clarke, one of Jamaica’s most promising young track talents, has achieved a major milestone in his career by signing with Grand Slam Track™, fulfilling a long-held dream of working under the guidance of track legend Michael Johnson. Clarke, who set the World U20 record of 47.34 in the 400m hurdles, joins fellow Jamaicans Rushell Clayton and Ackera Nugent in the newly launched league, becoming one of 37 racers already signed for the inaugural 2025 season.
Clarke’s talent and consistent performances, including his appearance in the 400m hurdles final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, made him an attractive candidate for Grand Slam Track despite his heartbreaking stumble at the final hurdle in Paris. Founder Michael Johnson, speaking at Monday's announcement at the Jamaica Pegasus that Jamaica will host the inaugural meet from April 4-, 2025, praised Clarke, saying, “One of the things for us as a league is finding the new talent, new stars of tomorrow, and Roshawn certainly represents that. As the World U20 record holder, his excellence and what he represents are exactly what we want in our athletes. We are very excited to have Roshawn as one of our first racers.”
For Clarke, the signing was the realization of a dream he’d held ever since the new track league was announced. “It’s an exciting feeling to be a Grand Slam Track racer,” he said. “Not many people get the opportunity to be one of the best in the world. To be able to sign as a racer… only the fastest, and I’m ranked fifth right now, it’s a great feeling.”
When his agent, Cubie Seegobin, called with the news, Clarke was overwhelmed with joy. "I was making a lot of noise," Clarke shared, laughing. "I was right next to my mom. I literally parked my car and ran out, pure noise. I had always told my mom that I wanted Grand Slam to sign me. I was at the supermarket when I got the email, and I parked the car and ran!”
Reflecting on his Olympic final experience, Clarke emphasized the resilience it inspired in him. “The Olympic final, I fell at the last hurdle. That experience made me realize how important it is to stay focused and bounce back. I learned how to gather myself and go again,” he said, underscoring his determination to improve as he prepares for the 2025 season.
The Grand Slam Track format will challenge Clarke in both the 400m and 400m hurdles over four weekends throughout the season, with each Slam weekend including two races. The intense schedule has Clarke and his coach adapting their training to ensure he’s prepared not only for Grand Slam events but for other key competitions throughout the year.
For Clarke, the opportunity to compete among the best while working closely with a track icon like Michael Johnson is the fulfillment of a dream and a testament to his potential on the world stage. Fans can look forward to seeing this rising Jamaican star in action when Grand Slam Track kicks off its inaugural season.
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