An expired Therapeutic Use Exemption certificate has caused Trinidad and Tobago long jumper Tyra Gittens to accept a six-month ban for the unintentional use of a prohibited substance. The ban took effect from September 26, 2022 and any results in competition since June 26, 2022, have been wiped from her record, which means she loses her results from the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham England.

The ban has since expired which means she is now free to train and compete.

World Athletics’ Athletics Integrity United (AIU) ruled on Monday that the athlete was ineligible for a person of six months after a sample she provided in June 2022 was found to contain methylphenidate/ritalinic acid, a prohibited substance that is an ingredient of the medication she takes for ADHD.

However, at the time the sample was taken, Gittens’ Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) had expired. The AIU said it accepts that the athlete had not realized that her previous TUE had expired by the time that the first sample was taken at the national Trinidad and Tobago championships on June 26, 2022.

“She was not advised that the TTO Sample was positive for methylphenidate, or that her TUE had expired for this purpose, until November 2022, after the sample collected from her at the World Championships on July 23, 2022,” the AIU said adding that they also accept that Gittens had no information at the time of her second World Athletics sample that her TUE application was incomplete.

“The AIU also accepts that the medication was used for legitimate medical reasons and the athlete did not intend to cheat. Accordingly, the AIU accepts that the violation was not ‘intentional’.”

Gittens, who turned pro just last week, addressed the development on her Instagram on Monday stating that, “My Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for taking ADHD medication was not approved in time for the World Championships last summer, which caused me to test positive for methylphenidate.

“Even though I have taken the same medication for years and had the same TUE for the Tokyo Olympics, I did not complete the application correctly. To put this behind me, my team and I accepted a six-month suspension backdated to Sept(ember) 25, which means the period of ineligibility is already served, and I can proceed with my season. During that time, I learned so much more about myself, my priorities, and my goals.”

She also revealed that this was not the only challenge she had to face in the last year.

“The last year and a half was one of the most challenging times of my life. First my transfer, it was a huge leap of faith and it extremely last minute. It was complicated learning a new event, having a new coach, new training schedules, new programs, living in a new city, and being in a new environment,” she said.

“It was an extremely confusing and overwhelming time and it led me to not trust myself and it showed in my performance last year.

“Secondly, earlier that year I lost my grandmother to diabetes. In August my aunt lost her battle with breast cancer, two weeks later my last grandmother passed away. Losing those amazing women was extremely heartbreaking. They were fighters and even though it was tough moving on, their stories motivated me to continue my fight as well.”

She revealed that these trials have made her stronger and better prepared for anything that life will throw at her.

“I am a different woman because of last year’s trials and tribulations. It has made me stronger, more trusting of myself, happier, and more at peace with my reality,” she said.

“I’m so thankful for the people who were behind me during this extremely lonely time of my life. Now it’s time to get back to work and continue my journey of turning my dreams into reality.”

Kingston College produced a dominant display to secure their 34^th hold on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships held at the National Stadium in Kingston from March 28-April 1.

KC amassed an impressive 366 points, comfortably ahead of rivals Jamaica College (299 points) and Calabar High (207 points) in second and third.

On Monday, the school, celebrating their 98^th year of existence, held a ceremony commemorate the historic achievement at their North Street home.

“Never bet against KC,” said Principal Dave Myrie at Monday’s celebration.

“When it comes to these championships, KC’s going to dig deep and we are going to fight. Our motto says ‘The Brave May Fall but Never Yield’ so we’re not going to yield to anybody. When we get out there on the field of play, we are going out there to win. If a better man beats us and wins, we’ll say well done but we are going to continue cheering and supporting our team, win, lose or draw,” he added.

“Elated,” was Head Coach Leaford Grant’s response when asked to describe his emotions after guiding the team to the title.

“Personally, I am elated. We are happy and couldn’t ask for anything else. It has been a challenging year for us but we managed to persevere and now we are champions again,” Grant said.

“We never set out to plan how many points we’re going to score. What we try to do every year is put together a team that we know can score over 300 points. At champs, you have mishaps and different mistakes but that’s something you have to plan around. This year, we made very few mistakes.” he added.

With all that said, the school also had their challenges in the months leading up to champs, as explained by Grant and Myrie.

“Some of the challenges were, like any other school, financial. We had some challenges with youngsters not coming to training as we expected but I think that goes on at every single school, not only KC. At the end of the day, we withstood those challenges,” said Grant.

“Some of our athletes have had challenges, whether it be injuries or stuff like that,” Myrie said.

“We had to be gingerly treating them as we go through. They couldn’t train as hard as they wanted but we had to nurse them through. We got vilified because we opted out of a few races at the Gibson Relays and we just shook our heads. You opt out to ensure that you can actually do what you need to do at Champs because, at the end of the day, Champs is where the points count,” Myrie added.

Distance runner Ainsley Campbell was one of the main contributors to KC’s 34^th Boys champs crown, winning the Class 1 1500m as well as the 2000m steeplechase open.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that we got the job done and we didn’t waste an entire year of training,” Campbell said.

“I wasn’t expecting to participate in the 1500m until Carifta Trials but I can say it was a well-earned title. For the steeplechase, I was the favourite so I went out there and did what I had to do,” he added.

Myrie says plans are already in place for KC to continue their dominance in high school track & field for years to come.

“There is definitely a plan in place but, the same way we are planning, other schools are planning as well. I am not going to go out there and say to anybody that we have to win or are going to win, I’m saying we are going to put a team in place that can challenge,” he said.

“If by chance there is a better team out there that beats us then more power to them and I’d congratulate them and say well done but we’re focusing on KC. We don’t focus on too many things outside. We have already started the planning for the next three years down the road to make sure that, at the least, we’re putting out a competent team every year,” Myrie added.

 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said she felt ‘compelled’ to defend her family’s honour when against her better judgement and her coach’s advice she entered the parents’ race at her son Zyon’s school sports day last week Friday.

A video of the fastest mommy on the planet decimating other mommies in a dash went viral and was eventually published on global online platforms including the BBC, Sky Sports and Sportsbible.

But why would a woman considered the best 100m female sprinter of all time, risk possible injury by competing in an inconsequential event even as she prepares to win a record-extending sixth 100m world title in Budapest in five months?

She explained that after watching her son and husband fall short, she was ‘overwhelmed’ by competitive spirit that helped propel her to two Olympic 100m gold medals, a record five world titles and to becoming the second-fastest woman alive.

 “I feel like I have been waiting all my life for this moment,” she joked on Sunday in a post on Instagram that included a video that chronicled the events of last Friday.

“I initially had no intention of running in the parents’ race – even my coach advised me not to run but my teammates weren’t doing so hot.

“Zyon ran his first race and fell, He tried again and got bronze in the obstacle race. So, I sent Jason (her husband) to handle business and bring home gold in the male parent race, but that didn’t go so well either.”

It was against that background that she decided to step in and right the wrongs.

“And, as an Olympian,” she continued, “it just didn’t make sense for us to leave without bringing home a single piece of gold, so I decided to race.

“We ended up getting two bronze medals…a participation medal and a first-place medal in the women’s parent race to redeem the Pryce’s family name. All in all, I’m so proud of my son and happy enjoyed sports day.”

O’Brien Wasome and Ackelia Smith won their respective field events at the Texas Relays this past weekend where Ashanti Moore was on the podium in both 100m and 200m sprints.

Aided by a trailing wind of 3.1m/s, Wasome, a former Texas Longhorn, leapt out to a distance of 17.00m to win the triple jump over Chris Carter (16.61m) and Ohio State’s Clarence Foote-Talley (16.58).

Virginia State’s Owayne Evans finished fourth with his effort of 16.53m.

Meanwhile, Smith, a current Longhorn, won the long jump with a leap of 6.57m.

Synclair Savage finished in second place with 6.53m while Anthaya Charlton took the final podium spot having leapt out to 6.52m.

Moore was second in the 100m and third in the 200m, races won by Olympic bronze medallist Gabby Thomas.

Thomas stormed to victory in the 100m in 11.07s leaving in her wake Moore, who clocked 11.23 and Lynna Irby-Jackson 11.31.

Irby-Jackson and Moore switched places in the half-lap sprint that Thomas won in 22.49. Irby-Jackson ran 22.71 for the runner-up spot with Moore not far behind in 22.79.

Rising star Adeajah Hodge and Olympic and World Champion Steven Gardiner emerged triumphant in their respective events at the two-day 2023 Florida Relays that concluded at the Percy Beard Track Field in Gainesville on Saturday.

With the CARIFTA Games just around the corner, 16-year-old Hodge, the defending U17 Girls sprint-double champion, showed that she will enter competition for the British Virgin Islands in good form after running away with the 100m dash.

On Friday, the Montverde Academy Junior clocked 11.26 to win with daylight between her and McKenzie Travis of Evangelical Christian who finished in 11.47. Travis had to fight hard to hold off a fast-finishing Cynteria James, who was third in 11.49.

Also, on Friday, the outstanding Bahamian Gardiner, who missed the 2022 World Championships with injury, signaled a return to good health and form, clocking a fast 20.14 to win the 200m by some distance over Trevor Bassitt (20.53) and Matthew Hudson Smith (20.56).

It was Gardiner’s fourth-fastest time over 200m.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, former Texas A&M standout Charokee Young, in her first season as a professional was the runner-up in the 400m Olympic development race beaten by Gabby Scott who clocked 51.24.

Young, who’s high school, Hydel won the Girls’ title at the 2023 ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships in her home country of Jamaica, was a close second in 51.31.

Stephanie Davis was third in 51.87.

Her compatriot, Jelani Walker was also a runner-up, this time in the 100m dash that was won by American teen sensation Erriyon Knighton, who clocked a slightly windy 9.98 for the victory.

Walker was on his shoulder clocking 10.01 while the talented Joseph Fahnbulleh was third in 10.04.

Jamaica’s Andrew Hudson was fourth in 10.05.

Kingston College and Hydel High emerged as the respective Boys and Girls title as the 2023 ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships came to an end at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.

For KC, it is a second consecutive title and their 34^th overall while for Hydel, it is a first title breaking an incredibly dominant eight-year run for Edwin Allen.

KC finished with 366 points, comfortably ahead of runner-up Jamaica College (299 points) while the top five was rounded out by Calabar (207 points), St. Jago (118.5 points) and STETHS (116 points).

Hydel finished with 279 points to top the Girls standings by only two points ahead of former champions Edwin Allen while the rest of the top five was rounded out by Holmwood Technical (202 points), St. Jago High (178 points) and St. Catherine High (116 points).

Some of the standout performances on the final day included Calabar’s Shaquane Gordon complete the Class 2 100m-110m hurdles double by running 13.42 to claim gold ahead of KC’s Kahiem Carby (13.59) and Daniel Clarke (13.80).

St. Jago secured the top two places in the Class 1 final through Demario Prince (13.42) and Andre Harris (13.79) while JC’s Daniel Beckford ran 13.83 for third.

St. Jago also had success in the Class 3 100m hurdles as Marquies Page ran 13.38 for victory ahead of Vere Technical’s Shawn Palmer (13.40) and St. George’s College’s Jahzi Walters (13.62).

World Under-20 silver medallist Alexis James of Petersfield ran 13.39 for victory in the Girls Class 1 100m hurdles ahead of St. Catherine High’s Asharria Ulett (13.59) and Edwin Allen’s Tonie-Ann Forbes (13.61).

In Class 2, Hydel’s Jody-Ann Daley completed an unprecedented 400m, 100m hurdles double by running 13.70 for victory ahead of St. Jago’s Bryana Davidson (13.89) and Excelsior’s Shelley-Ann Taylor (13.92).

The Class 3 80m hurdles was won by Wolmer’s Girls’ Tiana Marshall in 11.29. St. Catherine’s Akeelah Ellis ran 11.48 for second while Edwin Allen’s Angel Robinson ran 11.52 for third.

Wolmer’s Girls also took top spot in the Class 4 70m hurdles through Jadea Harris who ran 11.05 to narrowly beat Immaculate’s Ayanna Blake (11.08) while Excelsior’s Cordelia Gabbidon ran 11.30 for third.

In the field, KC’s Daijon Budhai threw 47.40m for gold in the Class 2 Boys discus ahead of Denzel Phillips of JC (45.98m) and Clarendon College’s Jospeh Salmon (43.33m).

JC’s Jaidi James took gold in the Class 2 Boys high jump with a clearance of 1.95m. Jonathan Grant’s Michael Neil was second with 1.90m while Kabiki Thomas of Wolmer’s Boys was third with 1.90m.

Three men were clear of 2.05m in the Class 1 Boys high jump, with KC’s Aaron McKenzie coming out on top ahead of JC’s Chavez Penn and St. Mary High’s Ovane Williams.

Moving into the 4x100m relays, the Class 1 Boys event was won by overall champions Kingston College in 40.01 ahead of St. Jago (40.40) and Edwin Allen (40.59).

Calabar took the crown in Class 2 in 40.41 ahead of KC (40.58) and St. Elizabeth Technical (40.74) while St. Jago won in Class 3 in 43.11 ahead of Wolmer’s Boys (43.12) and KC (43.21).

Hydel ran 44.33 for victory in the Girls Class 1 Girls final ahead of Edwin Allen (44.77) and Holmwood Technical (45.71).

Class 2 also saw Hydel take the title in 45.01 ahead of St. Jago (45.95) and Holmwood Technical (46.43).

Wolmer’s Girls continued their excellent Class 3 showing at the championships by winning the final in 45.81 ahead of Excelsior (46.41) and Edwin Allen (46.72).

Mount Alvernia won an extremely exciting Class 4 final in 48.54 ahead of Holmwood Technical (48.59) and St. Jago (48.83).

In the final Girls event of the championships, Edwin Allen won in 3:31.78 ahead of Hydel (3:34.57) and Holmwood Technical (3:36.46).  Hydel entered the race with a four-point lead over Edwin Allen knowing a medal would secure their maiden hold on the title.

Jamaica College ran 3:09.31 to win the Boys 4x400m ahead of Edwin Allen (3:10.09) and Kingston College (3:11.46).

Jamaica College’s Malique Smith-Band and Hydel’s Alana Reid took home the Class 1 200m titles on the fifth and final day of the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Smith-Band added to his silver medal performance in the 400m by producing his second personal best at the championships, 20.90, to win the title ahead of St. Elizabeth Technical’s Javorne Dunkley (21.40) and teammate Jaiden Reid (21.52).

The Class 2 Boys crown was taken by KC’s Tahj-Marques White, who ran 21.44 to complete the 200m-400m double. White’s teammate Nyrone Wade was second in 21.96 while Ainsley McGregor of Wolmer’s Boys ran the same time as Wade for third.

100m bronze medallist Shaun Lewis of STETHS went two better to win gold in the Class 3 final ahead of St. Jago’s Rayj Reece (22.93) and Calabar’s 400m champion Christopher Ellis (23.20).

Hydel’s Reid, who smashed Veronica Campbell’s Class 1 100m record when she ran a national junior record 10.92 to win the 100m on Wednesday, completed the sprint double with a 23.08 effort on Saturday. Wolmer’s Girls’ Mickayla Gardner was second in 23.89 and Holmwood Technical’s 400m champion Rickiann Russell was third in 24.16.

The Class 2 Girls final was won by Hydel’s Shemonique Hazle in 24.36, the same time as Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery in second while Bridgeport’s Brittney McCormack was third in 24.73.

Wolmer’s Girls’ Natrece East turned the tables on Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge in the Girls Class 3 final after Terrelonge got the better of her in the 100m. East ran 24.20 to win while Terrelonge ran 24.64 for second. Hydel’s Onetta Mitchell was third in 24.92.

Immaculate Conception’s Kayla Johnson completed the Class 4 sprint double with a winning time of 25.29 ahead of Hydel’s Gabrielle Morgan (25.54) and Clarendon College’s Tresha-Lee Sutherland (25.58).

At the time of publishing, Kingston College had a 41-point lead over Jamaica College after 32 events scored while, on the girls side, Edwin Allen had a one point lead over Hydel after 37 events scored.

St. Lucian senior Julien Alfred and Jamaican junior Kevona Davis were part of the Texas quartet that set the Mike A. Myers Stadium track on fire on their way to setting a new collegiate record at the 2023 Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on Saturday.

Alfred, the 2023 NCAA Indoor 60m and 200m champion and record holder, ran the opening leg for the Longhorns before passing to Ezinne Abba who then passed to Lanae Thomas before Davis anchored the team to a time of 42.00, breaking the previous collegiate record 42.05 set by LSU in 2018.

Earlier in the day, Alfred, Davis and Thomas combined with Rhasidat Adeleke to set a new collegiate record 1:28.05 in the 4x200.

On Friday, Alfred was also a part of the quartet that set a collegiate record in the sprint medley.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist split 22.4 in the first 200m leg of the relay and combined with Rhasidat Adeleke, Kennedy Simon and Valery Tobias to run 3:36.10 and break the previous record 3:38.93 set at last year’s Texas relays by Texas A&M.

Individually, Jamaican Ashanti Moore ran 11.23 for second in the Women’s Invitational 100m behind Olympic 200m bronze medallist Gabby Thomas (11.09) while Lynna Irby-Jackson was third in 11.31.

Bahamian javelin throw sensation Keyshawn Strachan broke his own national record to win gold at the 2023 Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at the Michael A. Myers Stadium in Texas on Friday.

The 19-year-old Auburn freshman threw an NCAA and world leading 84.27m to win the event ahead of Baylor sophomore Chinecheren Prosper Nnamdi (79.98m) and Tracksmith’s Curtis Thompson (79.29m).

Strachan’s effort broke his own previous national record 79.89m which he set to win the Under-20 title at the CARIFTA Games in Kingston last year.

The Bahamian’s mark is also an Auburn school record, freshman record and the fourth furthest throw in NCAA history.

Elsewhere in the field, Jamaican Texas sophomore Ackelia Smith jumped 13.84m to take the Women’s triple jump ahead of Georgia’s Mikeisha Welcome (13.63m) and Titana Marsh (13.61m).

Defending champions Edwin Allen High and Kingston College are the respective girls' and boys' leaders at the end of action on the penultimate day of the 2023 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.

After 22 completed finals on Friday, Edwin Allen has scored 147 points with their fierce rivals Hydel High on 131.5 points. Holmwood Technical have so far amassed 92 points while St Jago High (80) and St Catherine High (47) rounding out the top-five girls schools.

Among the boys, Kingston College, after 21 finals has scored 190 points, 30 clear of Jamaica College (160).  Calabar High have 95 points. St Elizabeth Technical (54) and St Jago (37) complete the top five schools.

In the finals completed on Friday, Shameer Blake and Oneika McAnuff proved too strong for their rivals in the Class I 400m hurdles.

In the Class II event, Jamaica College’s Deandre Gayle lived up to his favourite tag to win a keenly contested race.

Blake of St. Elizabeth Technical took command of his final from the get-go and enjoyed a comfortable lead up to about 350m when Edwin Allen’s Tyrece Hyman began to close with every stride. Hyman was on Blake’s shoulder as they cleared the final hurdle but the STETHS athlete dug deep to hold Hyman off and win in 50.76.

Hyman was a close second in 51.04. He had to hold off a fast-finishing Antonio Forbes of Kingston College, who clocked 51.09 for the bronze medal.

It was the opposite for McAnnuff, the defending champion who found herself in fourth place as the hurdlers made their way down the home stretch. However, she surged to get by Tonyan Beckford of Edwin Allen and win comfortably in 56.46.

Beckford won the silver medal clocking 57.14. Hydel’s Alliah Baker, who was also ahead of McAnnuff late, faded to third in 58.37.

The Class II event was a battle royal between Gayle, Requel Reid of Calabar and Taj-Oneil Gordon of Kingston College. All three were within close proximity with just over 80m to go when Gayle surged to separate himself from the now chasing pack.

He managed to hold on and win in 52.75 over Reid who ran 53.24 for the silver medal. Gordon had to settle for the bronze having run 53.70.

Ainsley Campbell of Kingston College won the 2000m steeplechase in 6:13.57, almost five seconds ahead of Nellie Ambriton of Jamaica College, who crossed the finish line in 6:18.56. Adriano Brown of  Calabar High ran 6:22.33 to claim the bronze medal.

The girls’ event went to Kaydeen Johnson of Hydel High who ran 7:15.01 to win the gold medal over Terrica Clarke of Holmwood Technical, who clocked 7:17.04 and Sanyae Gibson of Edwin Allen High, who stopped the clock at 7:27.51.

In the field, Dionjah Shaw of Edwin Allen High threw 46.27m to win the Girls Class II discuss over her teammate Shamoyea Morris, who flung the disc out to a mark of 44.95m. Marla-Kay Lambert of Clarendon College threw 43.15m for the bronze medal.

Gabrilla Treasure of St Catherine emerged the victor in a closely contested Class IV high jump for girls with a clearance of 1.55m. Campion College’s Stefvanco Henry also sailed over 1.55m but finished second on the count back.

Meanwhile, Adajah Drysdale of Wolmer’s Girl finished third after clearing 1.50m.

The Class I Girls high jump was won by Vere Technical’s Torian Caven who sailed over 1.82m. Edwin Allen’s Rasheda Samuels won the silver medal with her clearance of 1.79m and Richelle Stanley of St Elizabeth Technical picking up the bronze medal with 1.70m.

Trevon Hamel of Jamaica College picked up a valuable nine points in the Class I triple jump leaping out to 15.61m to take the gold medal.

Javar Thomas of Kingston College jumped 15.37m for the silver medal and seven points while Kesean Rhoomes of Cornwall College who established a mark of 14.50m.

Oscar Pistorius has been denied an early release from prison after his request for parole was rejected.

Pistorius, the former Olympian and Paralympian, became eligible for parole having served more than half of his 13-year sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

But he will remain in prison after authorities determined he had not served enough of his sentence.

The decision was welcomed by Ms Steenkamp's family.

"We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail," a statement from the family read.

Pistorius was originally found guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to six years in prison. That verdict was later overturned and he was convicted of murder, with Pistorius handed a 13-year team in 2017.

Edwin Allen’s Delano Kennedy brought the curtain down on Thursday’s day three of the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships with a gold medal in the Class 1 Boys 400m final at the National Stadium in Kingston.

The 19-year-old World Under-20 finalist secured nine points for the Clarendon-based school with a personal best 45.27 to win gold ahead of Jamaica College’s Malique Smith Band (45.74) and St. Elizabeth Technical’s Jasauna Dennis (45.87). Smith Band and Dennis also ran personal bests.

In the Girls Class 1 event, Holmwood Technical’s Rickiann Russell produced an excellent personal best 51.26, narrowly missing out on Sonita Sutherland’s record of 51.13 done in 2006, to win gold ahead of Hydel’s Oneika McAnuff (52.11) and Edwin Allen’s Kacian Powell (52.76).

KC’s Tahj-Marques White, the pre-race favourite in Class 2, made good on the promise he showed throughout the rounds to comfortably take gold in 47.73 ahead of JC’s Omary Robinson (48.49) and Calabar’s Nickecoy Bramwell (48.88).

Jody-Ann Daley of Hydel won the Girls Class 2 final in 53.61 ahead of Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery (54.12) and St. Catherine’s fast-finishing Kitania Headley (54.13).

Calabar’s Christopher Ellis produced a mild upset in the Class 3 final when he ran 50.49 to defeat the KC pair Jordan Rehedul (50.67) and Eshanee Porter (50.69).

Hydel were once again winners in Class 3 through Nastassia Fletcher’s 53.99 effort. Excelsior’s Breana Brown ran 55.58 for second while Rhodes Hall’s Rhianna Lewis was third in 56.15.

In the field, Edwin Allen’s Dylan Logan threw 16.03m to win the Class 2 Boys shot put ahead of Petersfield’s Ranaldo Anderson (15.15m) and KC’s Jaeden Williams (15.05m).

The Class 1 Boys discus was won by JC’s Racquil Broderick with an impressive 62.94m ahead of Calabar’s World Under-20 shot put silver medallist Kobe Lawrence (60.41m) and Clarendon College’s Ricardo Hayles (60.15m).

KC’s Isaiah Patrick, who missed Champs last year through injury, produced a record 6969 points to win the boys decathlon ahead of JC’s Dorian Charles (6579 points) and Calabar’s Kevin Brooks (6202 points).

On the Girls’ side, Hydel’s Zavien Bernard cleared 1.77m for victory in the Class 3 high jump ahead of Edwin Allen’s Asia McKay (1.71m) and Rhode Hall’s Aaliyah Williams (1.68m).

St. Jago’s Jade-Ann Dawkins jumped 6.12m for gold in the Class 2 long jump ahead of St. Catherine High’s Rohanna Sudlow (5.90m) and Edwin Allen’s Deijanae Bruce (5.75m).

Immaculate Conception’s Ashley Barrett took the crown in Class 4 with 5.25m. St. Mary High’s Sackoya Palmer took second with 5.22m and Hydel’s Arrian Nelson third with 5.10m.

Edwin Allen took gold in the Girls Open javelin throw through Sheniela Williams’ 42.40m ahead of Hydel’s Natassia Burrell (41.82m) and Immaculate Conception’s Zoelle Jamel (39.70m).

As far as points go, Kingston College leads the Boys standings after 15 events scored with 124 points. Jamaica College finds themselves second with 121 while the top five is rounded out by Calabar with 70, St. Elizabeth Technical with 41 and St. Jago High with 32.

Hydel lead the standings on the Girls side after 16 events scored with 98 points, one more then defending champions Edwin Allen while the top five is completed by Holmwood Technical with 73.50, St. Jago High with 70 and Immaculate Conception with 44.

March 29, 2023 is a day that fans of Jamaican track and field will never forget.

The stage was set at the National Stadium in Kingston on Wednesday night for the Class One boys 100m final where Kingston College star Bouwahjgie Nkrumie was aiming to secure his first gold medal since moving up to class one two years ago.

Not only was he expected to easily win the race, he was expected to become the first Jamaican Under-20 athlete to break the 10-second barrier.

After coasting to 10.51 to win his heat on Tuesday, the World Under-20 silver medallist heightened the expectations of the many watching on at the Stadium and at home when he sped to 10.08 in the semi-finals, breaking the record set in 2014 by Zharnel Hughes.

Then, with everyone’s eyes glued to the Stadium track, Nkrumie did it. He produced a special 9.99, breaking his own national junior record 10.02, and becoming only the third Under-20 athlete to break 10 seconds.

The other two are Botswanan Letsile Tebogo who ran 9.91 to defeat Nkrumie at the World Under-20 Championships last year and American Trayvon Bromell who ran 9.97 in 2014.

That time also makes Nkrumie the current world leader in the event.

“I can’t explain the feeling right now. I can tell you, now, it was not easy to do. It will only get better from here,” Nkrumie said after the race.

“Felt good throughout the rounds but I wasn’t pleased with the execution in the final again. That’s what affected me last year but I promise you I will get it together at the right time,” he added.

As previously stated, this was Nkrumie’s third 100m final since making the transition to Class One in 2021.

That year, Nkrumie took bronze while, in 2022, his finished sixth after stumbling out of his blocks.

He reacted to finally claiming that elusive gold medal.

“The journey has been rough to be honest but if only some athletes in high school had the mindset that I have, they’d be so fantastic but, as I said, I’m happy to achieve this time and it’s only going to get better from here,” Nkrumie said.

As for what comes next for the three-time Kingston College team captain, he says wait and see.

“Let’s see. The season is long. With the way my coach planned out this season, you will definitely see me run faster down the line.”

Olympics chief Thomas Bach has attacked politicians pushing for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be prevented from returning to international sport, saying their attitude is "deplorable".

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Bach launched a tirade on Thursday at the "negative reactions" to plans to allow competitors from Russia and Belarus to compete in global sporting events as neutral individual athletes.

There has been no final decision taken yet on whether those athletes can take part in next year's Olympics; however, there will be potential pathways for them to qualify for the Games, and it could yet mean there are Russians and Belarusians taking part in the Paris Games while war continues in Ukraine.

Government figures in the UK, Germany and beyond have expressed opposition to such athletes being allowed to take part, although IOC guidance on Tuesday potentially opened that door.

For those politicians there was a fierce rebuke from Bach.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Bach said: "Today the IOC executive board discussed the reactions to our recommendations issued on Tuesday.

"There we have taken note of some negative reactions by some European governments in particular. I can only reaffirm there what the Olympic movement and all the stakeholders have made very clear before: that it is deplorable to see some governments do not want to respect the majority within the Olympic movement and of all stakeholders, nor the autonomy of sport which they are praising and requesting from other countries in countless speeches, UN resolutions, EU declarations, and at every other opportunity.

"It is deplorable that these governments do not address the question of double standards with which we have been confronted in our consultations.

"We have not seen a single comment from them about their attitude towards the participation of athletes whose countries are involved in the other 70 wars and armed conflicts in the world.

"It is even more deplorable that they grossly neglect the very clear statement of the two special rapporteurs from the UN human rights council. While in other issues they are always highlighting their firm request for the respect of human rights

"Discussions and reactions from the Olympic movement are making it very clear, that these government interventions have strengthened the unity of the Olympic movement.

"All stakeholders make it very clear again: it cannot be up to the governments to decide which athletes can participate in which competition. This would be the end of world sport as we know it today.

"The Olympic movement stakeholders are very concerned about this politicisation of sport. They are very concerned about the attitude of these governments wanting to take over the participation and the decision of participation in sport events in their country or even in other countries."

Bach pointed to a letter from the presidents of the five regional groupings on national Olympic committees, representing all 206 NOCs, in which he said it was stated that "international sports competitions welcome athletes from all countries".

Asked why it was only athletes from Russia and Belarus that were being asked to compete as neutrals, rather than those from other conflicts and wars to which he referred, Bach said that was "because this was a blatant violation of the Olympic truce and happened between the Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Games".

That was a reference to the timing of the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

With regard to Germany and the UK, Bach said: "Both NOCs have made it very clear they do not boycott, and we will not punish athletes or an NOC for the position of their governments.

"We will always make every effort not to punish athletes for misbehaviour of their national governments."

Bach, who is German, said "a vast, vast majority of all stakeholders of the Olympic movement" supported the IOC putting in place conditions for the possible return to international competition of athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports.

He added: "I can only reaffirm the entire Olympic movement strongly stands by its values and by its mission to unite the world in a peaceful competition."

On a historic second day of the 2023 ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships when Jamaica witnessed a Jamaican schoolboy break 10 seconds in the 100m and a schoolgirl ran under 11 seconds in the blue-ribbon event, another two records were broken on what proved to a thrilling days of performances.

Chief among them was Holmwood Technical’s Cedricka Williams, who broke the Class 1 Girls discuss throw with a new mark of 57.84m. It was the third time that the record was being broken during the championships.

During the preliminaries on Tuesday, Williams threw 53.22m to break former Edwin Allen standout Fiona Richards' record of 53.04m that was set in 2017. The record did last long as St Jago’s Abigail Martin a new mark of 55.19m to set up an interesting duel between the two in the final.

However, Martin was unable to surpass her preliminary round effort, throwing 53.81m in the final as Williams reigned supreme.

Camperdown High School’s Britannia was also over 50m taking the bronze medal with a throw of 50.69m.

Kimeka Smith of St Jago High School won the Girls Class II shot put with an impressive mark of 15.82m. Hydel High School’s Natassia Burrell won the silver with a throw of 15.55m. Able Mills of St Catherine High won the bronze medal with her best throw of 15.27m.

Uroy Ryan of Jamaica College leapt 7.42m to win the Class 1 Boys long jump, a mere six centimetres ahead of Demario Prince of St Jago High, whose best jump of 7.36m was good enough for the silver medal.

Trevon Hamer of Jamaica College won the bronze medal with his effort of 7.11.

Jamaica College also won the Class II Boys long jump as Michael Anderson soared out to 7.29m. It was a 1-2 finish for the school from Old Hope Road in Kingston as Euan Young won silver with a leap of 7.03m. Anthony Hall of B.B. Coke High jumped 6.95m to win the bronze medal.

On the track, Ainsley Campbell of Kingston College won the Class 1 Boys 1500m in 4:02.63 over Carlando Chambers of St Jago High, who crossed the finish line in 4:04.16 while Jamaica College’s Kemarrio Bygrave was third in 4:05.26.

The other record to fall on Wednesday was Natoya Goule’s 13-year-old Class 1 Girls 1500m standard off 4:29.42 that was broken by Holmwood Technical’s Jodyann Mitchell, who ran 4:29.42 to win the gold medal.

Kishay Rowe of Alphansus Davis took the silver in 4:30.29. Danielle King of Hydel claimed the final podium spot when she crossed the finish line in 4:35.57.

The Boys Class II 1500m final was won by Brian Kiprop in a Kingston College 1-2 finish. Kiprop ran 4:07.46 just ahead of his teammate Nahashon Ruto (4:07.64). Yoshane Bowen of Magotty High School won the bronze running 4:11.52.

In a stirring finish in the Class II Girls 1500m, which saw the first two competitors cross the line together, Edwin Allen’s Monique Stewart came from behind to nip Holmwood Technical’s Cindy Rose. Both were credited with 4:41.43 but the photo-finish determined that Stewart had won by 0.01 seconds ahead of her rival.

Misha-Jade Samuel of St. Jago High was third in 4:53.53.

Carlos Brison-Caines of Calabar High ran 4:18.18 to win the Class III Boys 1500m holding off a stern challenge from Jayden Brown of Maggotty High, who ran 4:18.26 for the silver medal. Yohance Carty         Jamaica College finished third in 4:33.88.

The Class III Girls race was won by Alikay Reynolds of Alphansus Davies. She ran 4:46.36 and was a comfortable winner over Kededra Coombs of St. Jago High, who ran 4:49.07 for the silver medal. Her teammate Tabbrel Williams was third in 4:49.42.