A very pregnant Aleen Bailey-Taylor and her close friend Soyini Thompson at the baby shower on Sunday.
Soyini Thompson Facebook
Jamaican Olympian Aleen Bailey and her husband Joseph Taylor are celebrating an exciting new chapter in their lives as they prepare to welcome their first child. The couple marked the occasion with a heartwarming baby shower on Sunday, attended by close family and friends, including collegiate coach and close friend Soyini Thompson, and former Jamaican thrower Zara Northover, who presided over the couple’s wedding in November 2023.
Bailey, a decorated athlete, has had an illustrious career on the track. A seven-time Carifta Games gold medalist, Bailey rose to global prominence when she won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics as a member of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team. Her relay success continued, with another gold medal at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany. Throughout her career, Bailey represented Jamaica with distinction, earning numerous accolades in the national colours, making her one of the country's most celebrated sprinters.
(Soyini Thompson Facebook)
Aleen and her husband Joseph are all smiles with their dear friend Zara Northover on Sunday.
The baby shower was a joyful gathering filled with love and anticipation for the couple’s impending parenthood. Surrounded by their support system, Bailey and Taylor celebrated the next step in their journey together, a journey that began when they tied the knot under the warm Jamaican sun in a beautiful ceremony at the St Andrew Scots Kirk United Church in Kingston.
Their wedding, officiated by Reverend Nigel Nusey and longtime friend Northover, was a heartfelt celebration of love, faith, and the powerful bond shared by two outstanding athletes. Northover, Bailey’s former roommate during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, expressed her gratitude for being a part of the couple’s journey, reflecting on the significance of God’s blessing in their marriage.
The couple’s reception at the ROK Hotel in downtown Kingston was a further testament to the love they share, surrounded by family, friends, and members of the athletic community that has played such an important role in their lives.
Now, as they prepare to welcome their first child, Bailey and Taylor are entering a new chapter, continuing their journey of love and family. The support from their friends and loved ones was palpable at the baby shower, a day filled with happiness, excitement, and anticipation for the new arrival.
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.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce reflects on the sixth anniversary of her statue at Independence Park
Two-time Olympic 100m champion and five-time World 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, has marked the sixth anniversary of the statue erected in her honour at Independence Park in Kingston. The statue, which was unveiled on October 14, 2018, stands as a symbol of her incredible achievements and contributions to athletics.
On Monday, the legendary sprinter took to Facebook to reflect on the momentous occasion, posting, "Growing up, statues represented important people who were no longer alive. October 14, 2018, was a monumental feeling to see yourself larger than life with your very own eyes."
The unveiling of Fraser-Pryce’s statue, which took place six years ago, drew government officials, diplomats, and loyal fans to the National Stadium, despite heavy rain associated with a broad trough across the western Caribbean. The ceremony lasted over two hours, with various speakers praising Fraser-Pryce, the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic 100m gold medallist, for her remarkable career and her inspirational journey.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness unveiled the statue during the special ceremony at Statue Park, where other Jamaican sporting greats are also immortalized.
Back then, Fraser-Pryce, reflecting on her journey, remarked, "Early in my journey, I wasn’t a model athlete. However, once I found out the power I had in my legs and was convinced that hard work is the key to success, I bought a stake into my own vision for my future."
She shared a message of encouragement for those chasing their dreams, emphasizing resilience and perseverance: "We all have our dreams, and sometimes we do not get to pursue them. However, if you are alive, you can still be able to achieve them. A delayed dream doesn’t mean a dream denied."
The 37-year-old sprinter remains one of the most iconic figures in global track and field, and the statue commemorating her legacy stands as a testament to her enduring impact on Jamaican and world athletics.
Olympic champion Noah Lyles proposes to Jamaican girlfriend Junelle Bromfield, receives global track and field support
Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles and his Jamaican girlfriend, quarter-miler Junelle Bromfield, are officially engaged, marking a significant moment in their relationship. Lyles recently shared a heartwarming video on Instagram, where he proposed to Bromfield in a beautifully orchestrated setting that has since drawn congratulations from track and field stars worldwide.
In the video, Lyles, with in a giant heart made of rose petals with the words "Will You Marry Me?" displayed, asked Bromfield for her hand in marriage. Bromfield, wearing a shimmering silver gown, accepted the proposal, showing off a stunning engagement ring as Lyles knelt before her. The post was captioned with a touching message from Lyles: "To My Future Wife, I Will Love You Forever."
The couple, who have been together for several years, have endured challenges, including recent cyber-bullying directed at Bromfield after Lyles revealed that she sometimes shares insights into Jamaican track and field training groups. Despite the adversity, their bond has only grown stronger, and the engagement is a testament to their resilience and love for one another.
Lyles’ Instagram post quickly garnered congratulatory messages from several global track and field stars, including Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain, Jamaica’s Charokee Young, French hurdles star Cyrena Samba-Mayela, and Alyshia Miller-Powell, wife of former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell. Olympic gold medalist Alexis Holmes, retired sprint hurdlers Jasmine Stowers and Dawn Harper-Nelson, Jamaican Olympian Shashalee Forbes, and fellow Olympian Andrenette Knight were also among the many who sent their best wishes.
Notably, Jamaican Olympian and Member of Parliament Juliet Cuthbert Flynn was also among the well-wishers, celebrating the couple’s joyful moment.
With the support of the global athletics community behind them, Lyles and Bromfield now look forward to their future together as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
“I don’t feel like I’ve made it yet”- Olympic champion Julien Alfred hungry for more success
Julien Alfred’s 2024 season was one for the books and the St. Lucian superstar is eyeing even more success going forward.
The 23-year-old began her first full season as a professional athlete with a six-race win streak in the indoor 60m, culminating with her first major global title at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on March 2.
The 2023 Bowerman Award winner then embarked on a spectacular outdoor season which saw her become her country’s first ever Olympic medallist by winning 100m gold in Paris in a national record 10.72 in August before closing out her season by winning the 100m title at the Diamond League final in Brussels in 10.88 in September.
Alfred also won 200m silver at the Olympics in 22.08.
As a result of her exploits on the track, Alfred has been subject of an appropriate week of celebration by her home country St. Lucia since her return on September 24.
Alfred was greeted by a parade of fans upon her arrival to the island, September 27 was formally recognized by the St. Lucian Government as ‘Julien Alfred Day’ going forward, a mural celebrating her was painted at her alma mater Ciceron Primary School and she was named as a Tourism Ambassador for St. Lucia.
With all that being said, Alfred still feels like there is more work to do to solidify her legacy in the sport.
“I don’t feel like I’ve made it yet,” Alfred said on the latest episode of Out d Blocks on the SportsMax TV YouTube Channel.
“That alone keeps me pushing and going for more,” she added.
Most people with her accolades, even after just one year, would get comfortable and feel like they’ve already solidified themselves as a staple in their respective field but not Alfred.
“There are accolades that I still want in my life and my career. Yes, I accomplished an Olympic gold, World Indoors, Diamond League final winner but I don’t have accolades in the World Championships outdoors yet,” Alfred said.
“Even the 200m title at the Olympics. I feel like there’s still more I can chase and go after and just leave my legacy and pay tribute to all those who pour into me and give back to them in such a way,” she added.
After a grueling NCAA season, Alfred competed at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023. She got to the final of the 100m, finishing fifth in 10.93 before narrowly missing out on a medal in the 200m final, running 22.05 for fourth.
If her 2024 form is a precursor, Alfred could be in for a massive World Championships in Tokyo in 2025.
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