Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper will line up in the women’s sprint hurdles at the upcoming Miami leg of the Grand Slam Track series, scheduled for May 2–4, as the Jamaican continues her steady buildup to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.

Tapper replaces Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist, who has scratched from the event. The withdrawal sets the stage for Tapper to showcase her early-season form in what is shaping up to be a crucial test on the road to Tokyo.

The 30-year-old Jamaican, known for her fierce competitiveness and effervescent spirit, has been gradually sharpening her form this season as she looks to replicate or improve upon her historic 2021 Olympic performance. With the World Athletics Championships on the horizon, each appearance is an opportunity to fine-tune her race rhythm and test herself against world-class opposition.

Tapper's inclusion comes amid a shuffle in the meet's athlete lineup. Two-time World Championship 400m hurdles bronze medallist Rushell Clayton of Jamaica and Ethiopian distance standout Hagos Gebrhiwet have also been scratched from their respective events. In response, organizers have brought in American Cassandra Tate for the women’s 400m hurdles and Kenyan Amon Kemboi to bolster the men’s long-distance field.

This second stop in the Grand Slam Track series follows the Kingston leg in early April, which, while delivering elite-level performances, faced challenges including late withdrawals and low attendance. Organisers are aiming for a stronger showing in Miami, with Tapper’s addition expected to heighten interest in the women’s short hurdles.

With Tapper entering this meet as part of a carefully planned campaign towards her third Olympic Games, fans will be watching closely to see how she measures up in a competitive field, especially in the absence of Camacho-Quinn.