With three of Jamaica’s relay teams still unqualified for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has laid out a clear strategy to secure their places in the coming weeks.
Speaking at Monday’s press conference ahead of the June 26–29 National Championships, Ian Forbes, the JAAA Executive Board Member and Chairman of Competitions, confirmed that the men’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m teams are yet to meet the qualifying standard — and that the association has identified three upcoming meets to make those final pushes.
“We have been looking for opportunities to facilitate their qualification,” Forbes said. “I can announce that from July 5, in Barbados, there will be a meet that includes relays. On July 19, the London Diamond League will also host relays, and from August 15–17, the NACAC Senior Championships will offer another opportunity for our teams to qualify.”
These meets will be critical, as the deadline for relay qualification for Tokyo looms in late August. The men’s 4x400m, which had required special scheduling accommodations last year in a bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics, has already met its standard for Tokyo. However, the sprint relay and both 4x400m variants still need to improve their global rankings or post qualifying marks.
“We are actively coordinating with coaches and athletes to make sure the best possible teams are available for those meets,” Forbes added.
In addition to the relay qualification plan, Forbes confirmed that the 2025 National Championships will return to the standard three-round format for the men’s 400m — after last year’s temporary four-round structure designed to boost relay readiness.
“It would have been unreasonable this year to ask them to compete in a relay at the championships after running three rounds of the 400m,” Forbes said. “So we’re back to the traditional setup, with close to 60 entries received in that event.”
He also announced that this year’s Championships will feature a record 104 events, the most in the event’s history. That includes a full slate for Under-18, Under-20, and senior athletes, with non-Jamaican athletes also entered to compete.
“We have 720 athletes entered, including 47 non-Jamaicans who rely on Jamaica’s meets for qualification, especially when their home countries don’t host trials,” he said.
The meet will include the Decathlon and Heptathlon for Under-18 athletes, as well as an Open Masters category for older competitors. All events will be conducted in accordance with World Athletics regulations, including doping controls.
A technical meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, where key details such as starting heights for vertical jumps and final event procedures will be confirmed.
“We aim to deliver a technically sound, fair and world-class championship,” Forbes said, “while giving our athletes every chance to meet qualification standards.”