Triple Olympic gold medallist Gabby Thomas says Jamaica is the perfect place to launch the new Grand Slam Track series, not just because of the island’s legendary status in global track and field, but also because of her personal ties—her father is Jamaican.

Speaking to SportsMax.TV during a media engagement at the AC Hotel in Kingston on Thursday, Thomas said she’s looking forward to competing on Jamaican soil for the first time.

“This is the perfect place to kick off Grand Slam,” she said. “Obviously, Jamaica is such a huge part of track and field… I’m expecting just a really electric fan base. I’m expecting just a lot of fun, a lot of happiness. Everyone is so happy to be here.”

The American sprint star, who struck gold in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays and won bronze in the 200m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will run the 200m in Kingston later today as part of the series’ opening event.

Thomas also welcomed the increasingly competitive women’s sprints landscape, particularly the emergence of Julien Alfred, the St Lucian speedster who continues to make waves on the international stage.

“Julien Alfred is an amazing competitor,” Thomas said. “She works hard, she lets her legs do the talking, and I really respect her. We push each other, we challenge each other on the track—and that’s the best part of track and field, right?”