The newly resurfaced track at Jamaica’s National Stadium in Kingston is likely to receive World Athletics Class 2 certification rather than its original Class 1 status, according to a sports construction industry expert who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The track, previously a Regupol surface, has been resurfaced by another company, Rekortan. However, while the new surface meets international standards, the process used in the resurfacing may affect the track’s ability to regain its Class 1 certification.
According to the expert, World Athletics' Class 1 certification is not solely determined by the track surface but also by the entire stadium facility. Over time, evolving requirements—such as anti-doping facilities and stadium infrastructure upgrades—must also be met for Class 1 certification.
Additionally, Class 1 certification requires on-site testing of the track's physical properties, including:
Shock absorption (to ensure the track is neither too hard nor too soft)
Surface hardness
Evenness
Friction levels (to prevent excessive slipping or resistance)
Energy restitution (how much energy returns to athletes during each stride)
However, resurfaced tracks can develop inconsistent values due to patchwork repairs and layering over existing surfaces. This can lead to irregular test results, making it unlikely for the track to regain its Class 1 certification.
"When you have a track where you cut out certain areas and patch others, the values become inconsistent," the expert explained. "If they were to apply for Class 1, they'd likely get flagged due to these variations and ultimately be advised to go for Class 2 instead."
Unlike Class 1 certification, which requires extensive physical testing, Class 2 certification primarily verifies that:
Track markings comply with World Athletics’ standards
Lane dimensions are accurate
The track meets basic safety and usability requirements
In short, a Class 2-certified track can still host high-level competitions, but it does not meet the stringent criteria required for World Championships or Olympic events.
The resurfacing project was undertaken to prepare the stadium for upcoming events, including the 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships and the Grand Slam Track Series in April. While the change in certification does not prevent Jamaica from hosting major regional meets, it may limit the stadium’s eligibility for World Athletics-sanctioned international championships in the future.
The official certification process will determine the final status of the National Stadium track, but based on current resurfacing methods, the likelihood of it being Class 2 instead of Class 1 remains high.