For McLeod, the journey to Berlin marks a return to competition after facing setbacks in recent years. The 2016 Olympic champion has struggled with poor form, leading to his failure to qualify for the Jamaican team in both the Tokyo Olympics and the World Athletics Championships in 2022. However, reports from his training camp in Italy hinted at a remarkable turnaround, with McLeod displaying renewed focus and determination to regain his winning form on the track.
Eager for redemption, McLeod is approaching the ISTAF Indoor Meeting as a pivotal moment in his career as the 2017 World 110m hurdles world champion aims to showcase the fruits of his hard work and dedication in front of the global athletics community.
On the other hand, Anderson's story adds another layer of inspiration to the event.
The silver medalist from the 2022 World Championships in Oregon had faced a significant hurdle in the form of a knee injury that required surgery in early 2023. This setback forced her to miss the entire season.
The ISTAF Indoor Meeting in Berlin is now the stage for Anderson's much-anticipated return from surgery.
The meet otherwise boasts stellar lineup, featuring world record holder Grant Holloway, European indoor champion Samuele Ceccarelli from Italy, Zaynab Dosso, the third fastest 60m sprinter globally, and British European Champion Daryll Neita.
Among the local contenders were the fastest sprinters of the German Leichtathletik-Verbands (DLV), including Alexandra Burghardt, Rebekka Haase (both in the 60m), and Franziska Schuster (60m hurdles). The anticipation built as the world prepared to witness the thrilling competitions unfold on the renowned blue track in Berlin, with McLeod and Anderson's comebacks adding an extra layer of excitement to an already star-studded event.
Sources indicate that the 22-year-old Anderson suffered the injury after falling over a hurdle and damaged a ligament in her left knee. While the injury is serious, Anderson, who is currently wearing a knee brace, is expected to make a full recovery.
The forlorn Anderson confirmed the sad news on her Instagram account on Thursday.
"The beauty of sport and life is in its ups and downs - in its wins and losses. We cannot possibly understand the beauty of the highest mountain peak without climbing from the depths of the valley," she said.
"That being said, these past few weeks have been personally challenging for me as I've had to deal with a significant injury to my knee. Unfortunately, I will be sitting out this season just to make sure I get the best recovery possible.
"The good news is that I will make a full recovery. The prognosis from my medical team is nothing short of 100 per cent positive. I am working very hard to make that a reality over the coming weeks. I am truly diving into this process, learning a huge amount along the way and I am thankful for the support I have received from all corners."
She added that the injury has allowed her to see just how much she embraces her sport.
"This setback has allowed me to re-evaluate my relationship with track and field. What I have found is that I have fallen in love with this sport to a level I never thought possible," said the elite hurdler who also thanked her coach, management team and sponsor, Puma, for their support during this difficult period in her life.
"I hope that this passion can inspire those of you out there who are lucky enough to have been following my life and career to climb your own mountains no matter how high and how steep. The peak will truly show you the limitlessness of your own possibility."
Anderson, Jamaica’s reigning national champion, set a new national record of 12.31 in the 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon in July, 2022. She ran a wind-aided 12.23 in the final to win the silver medal behind Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, who ran 12.06 (w) in the final.
Amusan ran the world record 12.12 in the semi-final.
Anderson has been among Jamaica’s shining lights in recent years, setting world records at the junior level. She won silver at the World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland in 2018. She was expected to be among the contenders for medals at the World Championships in Budapest in August.
