Changing a few ‘little things’ and a shift in mindset paid off in a big way for Joella Lloyd when she set a new national record in the 100m at the Tennessee Challenge at Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday.
Her time of 11.19 not only broke Heather Samuels Daley’s Antiguan record of 11.20 set in May 1993 it is also the World U-20 leading time for 2021, bumping the USA’s Tionna Brown’s 11.29 from the top spot. Lloyd said she was astonished when she saw the time given how poorly her outdoor season had started with times of 11.52 and 12.05 in her two previous races.
“I was surprised when I looked at the clock and I saw 11.19 because earlier in the season I did not transition as well as I wanted to from the indoor season,” she said.
“I was working with my coach (Ken Harnden), we were talking and he was telling me to do the little things like eating well, sleeping on time and having a better mindset at practice and ever since I implemented that, in practice, I didn’t feel as fatigued and I felt like I was getting back into the right mindset of being competitive and pushing to the line.
“Though my start wasn’t too good, my transition was good and I fought to the line.”
Lloyd's Tennessee teammate Maia McKoy, a senior, was second in 11.23 while Louisville's Brooke Raglin was third in 11.68.
The Tennessee freshman said it was special that she was able to break the record that was previously held by the woman who was her hero growing up.
“It’s really amazing having the national record now knowing that I made history for Antigua,” she said.
“I knew the old record holder Heather Samuel Daley and I have always held her in high esteem and wanted to be like her when I was growing up. Knowing that I am here, I’ve made it, it’s a relief and I feel like this will propel me through the rest of the season. I will drive off of this and keep getting faster.”
It has been a record-breaking season for Lloyd, who turned 19 on April 12. Lloyd, the 2021 SEC 60m Indoor champion, set a new national indoor record of 7.15 for the 60m and 23.62 for the 200m.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
JAAA announces Puma sponsorship renewal, calls for unity in sports development
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has officially renewed its partnership with global sportswear giant Puma, securing a deal that it claims surpasses an offer of approximately USD $6 million annually from rival Adidas. The announcement was made during the JAAA's Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 23, 2024. However, the JAAA did not reveal any details regarding the new deal.
JAAA President Garth Gayle expressed gratitude for Puma’s unwavering support, particularly during the challenging pandemic years. “Puma has been an invaluable partner, supporting grassroots initiatives, high school programs, and major national events like the Boys and Girls Championships and the Gibson Relays,” Gayle noted. “Their commitment far exceeds that of their competitors, ensuring we can continue to deliver excellence in athletics.” This renewed sponsorship, Gayle emphasized, will bolster the JAAA’s efforts to sustain Jamaica’s dominance on the global stage while fostering talent development at home.
In addition to the sponsorship announcement, the AGM saw the unopposed return of the JAAA executive, including Gayle as president. However, some changes were made to the team, reflecting a focus on inclusivity and modernization. Gayle reiterated the association's commitment to increasing athlete involvement in its operations by establishing sub-committees that accommodate their training and competition schedules. "We share the concern of those who ask for more participation by our athletes and are addressing this with structured opportunities for involvement," Gayle said.
Gayle used the platform to advocate for greater collaboration between the JAAA and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA). He urged the Minister of Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, to convene a joint meeting in the new year, emphasizing the importance of unity in advancing Jamaican sports. "The ‘Jamaica’ in the names of both associations reminds us that we serve under one flag with the development and opportunities for our athletes and sportspersons our shared commitment," Gayle stated.
Reflecting on 2024, Gayle highlighted significant milestones, including the hosting of key local events such as the JAAA/Puma Development Meet and the Jamaica National Junior & Senior Championships. Jamaican athletes also shone on the international stage, competing in six major competitions, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow and the Paris Olympics. While acknowledging challenges, Gayle celebrated the resilience and dedication of athletes and coaches. The JAAA also saluted its technical teams, volunteers, and stakeholders for their contributions, including Doctors Bruce and Blake for their work with the Athletes Integrity Unit and the Anti-Doping Commission.
As the JAAA looks to the future, Gayle emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration to build on Jamaica’s track and field legacy. He expressed optimism about upcoming initiatives, including enhanced coaching development and expanded competition opportunities at the regional and international levels.
In closing, Gayle led a moment of silence to honor members of the track and field community who passed away over the past year, affirming the JAAA’s commitment to their legacy and to fostering an environment where athletes can thrive. With the renewed Puma sponsorship, the unopposed return of the executive, and a unified vision for the future, the JAAA is well-positioned to continue driving the success of Jamaican athletics.
T&T Olympian Khalifa St Fort announces engagement
Two-time Olympian and Trinidad and Tobago track star Khalifa St Fort has announced her engagement, sharing the joyful news on social media on Sunday. The 26-year-old sprinter, who represented her country at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, shared a heartfelt post celebrating her upcoming union.
"God writes the best love stories, and ours is my favorite. ‘I have found the one whom my soul loves’ Song of Solomon 3:4," she wrote. "I can’t wait to spend forever with you. You truly are my answered prayer. I love you now and always. ?"
St Fort, known for her electrifying performances on the track, also holds a silver medal from the 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia and was a key member of Trinidad and Tobago's 4x100m relay team that won bronze at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. She is also a two-time World U20 medalist, underlining her pedigree as one of the Caribbean's premier sprinting talents.
However, the sprinter has largely stepped away from competition in recent years, focusing on her education and other personal endeavors. Her last recorded competitive appearances were in May 2022.
The announcement has been met with an outpouring of congratulations from fans and fellow athletes, celebrating the new chapter in the life of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most accomplished athletes.
Dates announced for the 2027 Pan American Games
The 2027 Pan American Games, the continent's premier multi-sport event, will take place in Lima, Peru, from July 16 to August 1, 2027, according to an announcement from the Executive Board of Panam Sports. The dates were confirmed in a letter to Federico Tong, President of the Peruvian Sports Institute, following a meeting held last week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The Peruvian government presented three possible date options—May, July, and September—for hosting the Games. After thorough deliberation, the Panam Sports Executive Board selected the July timeframe, citing its alignment with the availability of the continent’s top athletes.
“There were several factors to consider before determining the best date for the Games," said Neven Ilic, President of Panam Sports. "The proposals were analyzed, and finally, the entire Executive Board decided that it would be best to hold them in the month of July for several reasons. Perhaps the most important is that on that date we will be able to have the best athletes of the continent participating in Lima.”
This will mark the second time Lima hosts the Pan American Games, following its successful debut as host city in 2019. The Peruvian capital joins an elite group of cities to host the event twice, alongside Mexico City (1955, 1975) and Winnipeg (1967, 1999).
The Pan American Games is one of the world’s largest multi-sport events, featuring athletes from across the Americas competing in a diverse range of disciplines. The announcement of the 2027 dates sets the stage for another memorable celebration of sport and culture in Lima.
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