Two-time Olympic Games 400-metre champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo declared her readiness to compete at next month’s World Athletics World Relays in The Bahamas.

While expressing excitement about competing on home soil, the United States-based Miller-Uibo, who won back-to-back Olympic 400m titles at the 2016 and 2020 Games in Rio and Tokyo, pointed out that her main goal is to represent the country well.

She is hoping to assist the Bahamian mixed relay team to Paris Olympic qualification, at the May 4-5 World Relays to be held at the renovated Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.

“I think we have an amazing team for the mixed relay and I’m hoping we can qualify The Bahamas for the Olympic Games,” Miller-Uibo said.

“It’s wonderful competing here because there’s no other feeling like hearing your home crowd cheer you on. It makes you want to bring your best," she added.

In fact, Miller-Uibo went further to describe The Bahamas as "Paradise", almost as if extending an invitation for sports enthusiasts to come down and enjoy a piece of the island outside of the World Relays action.

"Our people are good-natured, always ready to share a good laugh, and that we are, in my eyes, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s literally paradise," she declared.

Ever the trailblazer, the 29-year-old star is ultra-competitive, determined, and hard to slow down, and these traits are exactly why Bahamians are so proud to have her.

In short, Miller-Uibo is a fierce athlete who won’t be overlooked. Even welcoming her son Maicel last April didn’t halt her charge, as she competed at the Bahamas nationals just 10 weeks after giving birth. 

Along with her two Olympic titles, Miller-Uibo also won gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and is the Bahamian national record-holder in the 200m and 400m. She also holds the world 300m best.

But her path to gold was not without setbacks.

“Those watching us never get the full scope of what athletes go through,” Miller-Uibo opined.

“Injuries are one of those things. I’m not only referring to the physical pain but also the mental toughness you need to recover," she noted.

On that note, the vivacious athlete offered a word of advice to up-and-coming Bahamian athletes chasing their own path.

“Always keep God first, choose a sport and event that you love, and always have fun doing it," Miller-Uibo shared.

CJ Ujah has been named in Great Britain’s 4x100m relay squad for next month’s World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas for the first time since returning from a 22-month drugs ban.

Ujah, now 30, tested positive for two banned substances in a test taken at the Tokyo Olympics, which led to his team being stripped of their silver medal.

Team-mate Richard Kilty, who has also been named in the eight-strong men’s squad, said at the time he would “never forgive” Ujah for forcing him to hand back his medal.

Another member of the Tokyo squad, Reece Prescod, is also named despite quitting the relay team shortly before last year’s World Championships in Budapest, and subsequently accusing UK Athletics of “emotional blackmail” in their attempts to convince him otherwise.

Seemingly alluding to the issues relating to Ujah and Prescod, British Athletics head of sprints and relays Darren Campbell said: “They (the men’s 4x100m squad) have had their fair share of challenges in recent years.

“But I have have had my own discussions with each and every member of the squad and know they are motivated, committed and focused on working together to reach Paris.”

Ujah was cleared of deliberately taking a banned substance, but was criticised for not following established protocols when he unknowingly bought a contaminated supplement for £10 off Amazon during lockdown.

As LSU sophomore sprinter Brianna Lyston continues to achieve remarkable success on the track, Head Track Coach Dennis Shaver remains focused on keeping her grounded amidst the rising excitement and expectations surrounding her performances.

Lyston's recent accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary. She kicked off her indoor season by clinching the SEC 60m title and followed it up with a stunning victory at the NCAA National Indoor Championships, where she clocked a personal best of 7.03 seconds in the 60m dash. This impressive time not only secured her the national title but also placed her as the second-fastest woman in collegiate history and the fifth-fastest Jamaican woman ever over this distance, trailing only legends like Merlene Ottey, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Transitioning to the outdoor season, Lyston made headlines once again at the recent Battle of the Bayou meet, where she blazed through the 100m in a wind-aided time of 10.87 seconds, finishing second behind Favor Ofili. This time ranks as the fastest opening race ever recorded by a collegiate woman under any conditions, highlighting Lyston's exceptional talent.

In light of Lyston's rapid rise to prominence, Coach Shaver emphasizes the importance of staying grounded amid the noise and expectations that come with such early success. "There's going to be a lot of noise," Coach Shaver acknowledges. "People talking, 'oh, you're running too much, or, oh, you're not this and that and everything else.'"

Coach Shaver underscores the significance of maintaining focus and perspective in the face of external pressures, especially in today's age of social media. "Social media has made it really difficult for these young women," he remarks, recognizing both its potential as a support platform and its pitfalls as a distraction.

To keep Lyston grounded, Coach Shaver encourages her to appreciate the journey ahead and understand that her current achievements are just the beginning. "This is the beginning of a long journey for her," he emphasizes. "You need to enjoy it, but you also need to understand that the consistency about how you go about your daily living and preparing yourself to be the best student-athlete you can be here at LSU is a real job."

Furthermore, Coach Shaver points out the valuable resources within LSU's track program, with former standout athletes like Favor Ofili, Aleia Hobbs, and Micaiah Brisco serving as mentors for Lyston. Their experiences provide a guiding light for Lyston to navigate the demands of collegiate athletics and maintain a balanced perspective on her accomplishments.

Despite the high expectations, Coach Shaver maintains a realistic outlook on Lyston's progress. Reflecting on her impressive performance at the Battle of the Bayou, he acknowledges the strong competition she faced and emphasizes the need for consistent dedication and communication to sustain her success.

As Brianna Lyston continues to make waves in collegiate track and field, Coach Dennis Shaver remains steadfast in his commitment to nurturing her talent, ensuring that she not only excels on the track but also thrives in the broader journey of student-athlete development at LSU.

Lyston runs the 200m at the Tom Jones Invitational this weekend.

In another unprecedented move to ensure sports enthusiasts near and far can enjoy the best coverage of the Paris Olympic Games, International Media Content Ltd (IMC), owner and broadcaster of the SportsMax channels across the Caribbean, have agreed to a broadcast arrangement with Nationwide News Network. The arrangement means Nationwide, which operates on the 90Fm band, will be the exclusive Jamaican radio broadcasters of this summer's Games.

IMC through its partnership with the International Olympics Committee (IOC), is the exclusive broadcast rights partner for the Summer Olympics, Paris 2024 for the Caribbean region. Media giant, SportsMax, in its charge to highlight Caribbean talents and provide Caribbean people with the platforms to watch, listen and celebrate the highs and lows of sports, has entered this partnership with Nationwide, which has a wide range of viewers and listeners, and has been making strides as a diversified multi-media and broadcast technology group.

This move by IMC, through SportsMax, follows a recent signing with Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) as the exclusive local free- to-air (FTA) broadcaster of the Paris Games in Trinidad and Tobago, broadcasting thrilling localized Olympic coverage with some of the best sporting analysis from Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean.

Nicolas Matthews, CEO, SportsMax Limited expressed excitement about the groundbreaking partnership with Nationwide.

"This is an unprecedented event because this is probably the first time a single radio station will be carrying the Olympics here in Jamaica. It's a phenomenal partnership, and Nationwide is known for excellence, and we are expecting that they will continue that tradition of excellence with the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“We're really excited about the partnership, and we're looking forward to ensuring everyone, everywhere, gets access to the Olympic content from Paris and you'll be able to enjoy it on the Nationwide platform. They are a single and only radio station in Jamaica that will be carrying this event," Matthews said during the signing event at Tracks and Records.

The Paris Olympic Games will run from July 26 to August 11.

Nationwide's CEO Cliff Hughes promised that the delivery will be of the highest quality, courtesy of his organisation and the undisputed Home of Champions, SportsMax.

"For those who are still considering, come on board. To the team at Nationwide, the team of athletes, Jamaica Olympic Association, we're going to make Jamaica proud. It's a moment that we can rise again to the occasion, as [Arthur] Wint, [George] Rhoden, and [Leslie] Laing did in 1948 and 1952. We have the Megan Tappers…. it’s their time and who knows who else will emerge in Paris in 2024,” Hughes noted.

While expressing an understanding for the move by World Athletics to award prize money at the Olympic Games, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Christopher Samuda believes a balance must be struck to preserve the spirit of the games.

In an announcement on Wednesday, World Athletics stated that gold medal winners at this summer’s Paris Olympic Games, in each of the 48 athletic events, will receive US$50,000 (J$7.6 million). That same US$50,000 gold medal prize will be shared among team members of the winning team in relay events.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said the decision to award the cash prizes reflected the efforts of track and field athletes “which attract billions of eyeballs” to the television coverage of the Olympics.

“I don’t believe this is remotely at variance with the concept that the International Olympic Committee often talks about, which is recognising the efforts that our competitors make for the overall success of the Games,” Coe said.

However, Samuda said though move is seemingly logical in World Athletics’ sight, the concept of prize money ran counter to 128 years of Olympic tradition and spirit of amateurism.

“Giving prize money for Olympic gold medalists is understandably a sign of the times and marks what appears to be a growing high tide of world opinion. You know, the professional status of sport has brought with it, inevitably, an increase in demand for rewarding merit, particularly with the emergence of a plethora of competing interests for sporting talent as part of marketing and promotional campaigns and revenue generation,” Samuda said.

“It is understandable in the circumstances. However, the priceless values in sport which Olympism embodies must be safeguarded,” he told SportsMax.TV.

According to reports, the total prize fund of US$2.4 million proposed by World Athletics will come from the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) revenue share allocation that World Athletics receives every four years.

The decision clearly blindsided the International Olympic Committee, which has never awarded money for participating or winning a medal, as it believes that to compete at a Games is reward enough.

It is the first time since the founding of the modern Games in 1896 that a gold medal will automatically come with a guaranteed monetary prize from a sport’s governing body.

 “The priceless values in sport which Olympism embodies must be safeguarded as being critical to the heart, spirit and soul of sport, without which our efforts at creating a gentler and kinder humanity will be penniless. A balance has to be struck in the interest of sport,” Samuda stated.

It is expected that for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, prize money will also be extended to silver and bronze medallists.

World Athletics president Lord Coe is confident the International Olympic Committee would “share in the principle” of track and field gold medal winners earning prize money in Paris – but admitted his organisation had not discussed the historic move with the IOC.

Athletics’ international federation announced on Wednesday that it would be the first sport to offer Olympic prize money in Games history, with winners in the 48 disciplines to receive US$50,000 (£39,400).

Coe said World Athletics chief executive Jon Ridgeon had given the IOC the heads-up about the announcement on Wednesday morning but confirmed the initiative had not been discussed with the IOC in advance.

Asked whether that approach should be seen as surprising, Coe said: “I don’t think so. It’s a matter for the sport.

“The one thing the International Olympic Committee has consistently recognised – and they’re right to – is the primacy of international federations to fashion their own futures.

“I don’t believe this is remotely at variance with the concept that the International Olympic Committee often talks about, which is recognising the efforts that our competitors make.

“I am hoping the IOC would share in this principle, given their avowed commitment to make sure that revenues raised through the Olympic Movement find their way back onto the front line. I think they make the point that 80 or 90 per cent of that goes back.”

The IOC has been contacted for comment.

A total prize pot of US$2.4 million (£1.89m) has been ringfenced by World Athletics for Paris, with the federation committed to introducing prize money for silver and bronze medallists from the Los Angeles 2028 Games onwards.

Some of the early social media reaction to World Athletics’ announcement was that the concept of prize money ran counter to the Olympic spirit of amateurism.

Coe said he had “no concern” in that respect, adding: “Introducing prize money for gold medallists acknowledges that the athletes are the reason that billions of people watch the Games and why it attracts such high revenues.

“I am probably the last generation to have been on the 75 pence meal voucher and second class rail fare competing for my country.

“I do understand the nature of the transition we’ve been in and we’re now operating in a completely different landscape, a completely different planet, from when I was competing.

“So it is very important that this sport recognises the change in that landscape and the added pressures on competitors.”

The US$50,000 gold medal prize will be split between the winning team in relay events.

Track and field gold medallists at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer will each receive US$50,000 (£39,400) in prize money.

World Athletics announced the US$2.4million (£1.89m) prize pot on Wednesday morning in a move which makes it the first international sport federation to award prize money at an Olympics.

The global governing body said the initiative also included a “firm commitment” to extend the prize money to silver and bronze medallists at the Los Angeles Games in four years’ time.

Relay medallists will split the US$50,000 prize across the team, World Athletics said.

“The introduction of prize money for Olympic gold medallists is a pivotal moment for World Athletics and the sport of athletics as a whole, underscoring our commitment to empowering the athletes and recognising the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic Games,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said.

“This is the continuation of a journey we started back in 2015, which sees all the money World Athletics receives from the International Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games go directly back into our sport.”

Coe added: “We started with the Olympic dividend payments to our member federations, which saw us distribute an extra five million dollars a year on top of existing grants aimed at athletics growth projects, and we are now in a position to also fund gold medal performances for athletes in Paris, with a commitment to reward all three medallists at the LA28 Olympic Games.

“While it is impossible to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, or on the commitment and focus it takes to even represent your country at an Olympic Games, I think it is important we start somewhere and make sure some of the revenues generated by our athletes at the Olympic Games are directly returned to those who make the Games the global spectacle that it is.”

The awarding of prize money will be subject to ratification, which will include medal-winning athletes undergoing and clearing the usual anti-doping checks.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been contacted for comment.

Jamaican Southern Miss junior Zayne Palomino secured his third win of the season in the high jump with victory at the Crimson Tide Invitational at the Sam Bailey Stadium in Alabama on Saturday.

Palomino entered the competition with a first-time clearance of 2.05m before clearing 2.10m on his second attempt.

He then needed three attempts to clear 2.14m before eventually clearing 2.17m, his winning height, on his second attempt. Palomino then had three unsuccessful efforts to clear 2.20m, his personal best which he did to win at the Sun Belt Indoor Championships on February 20.

Corvell Todd and Jacob Patten both cleared 2.10m for second and third.

Barton County Community College sophomore Christopher Young was also a winner on Saturday, producing 18.57m for top spot in the men’s shot put.

Memphis sophomore Sascha Schmidt threw 18.43m in second while Southern Miss sophomore Piers Cameron threw 17.95m for third.

On the track, Florida State sophomore Shenese Walker won the women’s 200m in 23.20 ahead of teammate Kaniya Johnson (23.62) and Southern Miss senior Kenia Seals (23.65).

Tiffany James-Rose, the decorated Jamaican 400m runner, faces a pivotal decision about her future in track and field following a two-year suspension imposed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a whereabouts violation. The suspension, which commenced in November 2023 and extends until November 2025, has left James-Rose contemplating retirement at the conclusion of the current track season.

The suspension arose from James-Rose missing out-of-competition tests within a 12-month period, leading to a violation of anti-doping regulations. However, the circumstances surrounding the missed tests are deeply personal and tied to her pregnancy, which required urgent medical attention during the times when doping control officers attempted to conduct tests.

The 27-year-old James-Rose was four months’ pregnant when she missed two of her three tests in June 2023.

In a candid interview, she took responsibility for not updating the World Anti-Doping Agency's Administration and Management System (ADAMS) with her whereabouts, attributing her oversight to the urgent health concerns related to her pregnancy. Reflecting on the challenging period, she emphasized her primary focus on ensuring her own well-being and that of her unborn child.

“I found myself in a situation where I had to be making trips to neighbouring states for emergency visits because of my pregnancy and, unfortunately, it happened on the two times when I was there. My husband’s father was here when they knocked on the door and I wasn’t here. It was like ‘why did it have to happen on the two days that I did a morning visit and not on Sunday or something like that,” she told Sportsmax.TV.

“Maybe they (AIU) said that I should have written a letter saying I was pregnant but in the moment, in the situation I wasn’t really thinking about track and field, I was thinking about my life and my child. It was my first pregnancy, I wanted to make sure I was okay, I wanted to make sure I was at those appointments because I was having one of those scary type of pregnancies. When things started to feel a little bit better about the pregnancy about August/September it had already gone bad.”

Her son was born in December 2023.

James-Rose, the 2016 World U20 400 champion, revealed the difficulties she encountered with immigration processes upon relocating to the United States, which coincided with her pregnancy. The unforeseen challenges delayed her return to competitive training and contributed to the administrative oversight that led to the whereabouts violation.

 “Before the pregnancy at the end of the 2022 season, I was in Oregon and shortly after that my husband (Jamari) filed for me so the migration process was taking place and, unfortunately, I had some problems with my documentation and when I arrived in the United States I was unable to travel so that was the first problem for me.

“I arrived in the United States at the end of August to sort out that and I was unable to travel until March the following year. During that time, I was working out, with the hope of going back to join the group at GC Foster. I was communicating with them. I was actively training at that time. When I was able to travel again I did visit Jamaica immediately and that was when I found out I was pregnant.”

Despite expressing a deep love for track and field, James-Rose is relishing the joys of motherhood and is uncertain about her future in competitive athletics. She is committed to making a decision about her career by the end of the current season, acknowledging the importance of mental and physical preparation regardless of her competitive status.

"I think I will have to make that decision by the end of this season (2024), because even though I can't compete, I want to get my mind and body ready," James-Rose stated.

“I can’t really say for sure. I am extremely happy. I am loving it (motherhood). Track and field is my first love but I think I have found true love and right now I am just living in the moment of motherhood and just enjoying the moments with my son and my husband for now. I mean, the suspension ends in November of 2025 so time will tell, I don’t know for sure what my decision will be.

“It’s (track and field) something I would love my son to grow and see me doing so it’s definitely a decision to be made.”

The determination to return to competitive athletics hinges on her motivation and drive, factors that James-Rose will assess carefully as she navigates this pivotal juncture in her career.

As James-Rose contemplates her future, her ultimate wish is for her son to witness her accomplishments in track and field. However, she remains grounded in the present, prioritizing her role as a mother while keeping the door open to a potential return to competitive sport. 

 Jamaican hurdler Britany Anderson and her coach, Marco Airale, recently commemorated a significant milestone – the one-year anniversary of Anderson's knee injury during a training camp in Padua, Italy, which required surgery and sidelined her for the entire 2023 season. Now, mere months before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Anderson is celebrating her remarkable recovery and return to full health.

 Reflecting on the challenging journey, Coach Marco Airale shared heartfelt sentiments about the injury and Anderson's perseverance throughout the rehabilitation process.

 "A year ago, I experienced a moment as a coach that you never want to happen to one of your athletes. After a bad fall through the hurdles, we discovered that Brit had injured her knee, rupturing her ACL and meniscus," Coach Airale recalled. "Since that day, Brit has worked tirelessly and demonstrated incredible trust in the process that ultimately saw her returning to running over the hurdles."

 Coach Airale extended his gratitude to the medical professionals and support team who played vital roles in Anderson's recovery. "Thanks again to Doctor Bartels and his team for the opportunity they gave me to assist her during the surgery. Thanks to my staff and a big shoutout to @mattiacecconi (Mattia Cecconi) as the physio who has followed Brit throughout the entire journey," he expressed.

 Anderson, in a rare personal reflection shared on Instagram, expressed deep gratitude and spiritual resilience throughout the challenging journey of rehabilitation. "I’ve never been the type to be open on Instagram, but I feel like I owe it to the Lord and to the most incredible team He placed behind me," Anderson wrote. "The day I got injured, that very moment when I heard that loud pop in my knee, I knew something was wrong but surprisingly I wasn’t worried... I remember falling to the ground and the first thing I said was 'Lord, I trust you'."

 Anderson continued, "I’m super grateful for that peace that carried me through and still carrying me. I’m grateful for my coach for being there and being patient with me @coach_air_, I’m grateful for @mattiacecconi, my physiotherapist, for being there every step of the way and also for encouraging me on the days when I felt overpowered by the blood, sweat, tears, and effort I had to pour into the work."

 Amidst the challenges, Anderson found personal growth and resilience. "It wasn’t an easy process, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’ve grown so much throughout this process, not just on the track but in my personal life as well," she reflected.

 Anderson concluded her heartfelt message by sharing her newfound strength and faith. "If someone would say to me a year ago that I’ll rupture my ACL and Meniscus one day, every day of my life I would step on that track in front of all the obstacles I have to run over in fear," she expressed. "I would walk in fear of the thought of being hurt because I would never think I could overcome the process, but I DID IT! And I didn’t do it alone, I did it with Christ Jesus."

Anderson's remarkable journey serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, faith, and the unwavering support of her coach, medical team, and faith community as she prepares to return to competition at the highest level.

In the words of her coach, "Welcome back, Brit. The future is yours!"

Jamaican sprinter Shashalee Forbes encountered a challenging moment during the final of the 100m at the Miramar Invitational Meeting in Florida on Saturday, where she suffered an injury while competing. The situation took a heartwarming turn when USA's World 100m champion Sha'Carri Richardson, along with her training partner Twanisha Terry, rushed to Forbes' aid despite the fierce rivalry between the USA and Jamaica in track and field.

Forbes, who had previously run a time of 11.51 to finish third in her 100m heat, unfortunately could not complete the final due to her injury. In an Instagram post following the incident, she expressed deep gratitude towards Richardson and Terry for their immediate support.

"Today didn't go as I expected. Picked up an injury during my 100m final. Thanks to @canonlybeme__ and @itsshacarri, who ran to my rescue ♥️??," Forbes shared.

Despite the setback, Forbes remained optimistic about her recovery and future performances.

"For those who are reaching out, I'll be okay in the name of Jesus. I just got to do some recovery, and I'll definitely be back stronger ?? ❤️," she assured her supporters.

She concluded with an uplifting message: "Remember, pain is temporary, and scars do tell stories."

The spontaneous act of sportsmanship and camaraderie between athletes from rival nations highlighted the mutual respect and support within the track and field community. Richardson and Terry's immediate response exemplified the true spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity among athletes, transcending national rivalries in pursuit of collective support and encouragement.

Forbes' determination to recover and return stronger underscores her resilience and dedication to her athletic journey, inspiring others with her positive outlook despite the challenges faced during competition.

Vincentian Shafiqua Maloney continued her impressive start to the 2024 season with a national record to take top spot in the women’s 600m at the Miramar Invitational at the Ansin Sports Complex in Florida on Saturday.

Maloney, an 800m gold medallist at the NACAC U-23 Championships in 2021, ran 1:23.80 to win ahead of Americans Sadi Henderson (1:27.81) and Ajee Wilson (1:27.86).

The 25-year-old is coming off an excellent season indoors that included 800m wins at the Arkansas Invitational on January 12, Razorback Invitational on January 27 and the Tyson Invitational on February 10.

Also among the winners on Saturday were Bajan two-time World Championships 400m bronze medallist Sada Williams, Jamaican sprint hurdler Tyler Mason and Bahamian quarter miler Alonzo Russell.

Williams produced 22.82 to take the women’s 200m ahead of Denmark’s Ida Karstoft (23.010 and American Kynnedy Flannel (23.32).

Mason took the win in the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 13.57. American Eric Edwards was second in 13.60 while Great Britain’s Andrew Pozzi was third in 13.63.

Russell ran a season’s best 45.35 to win the men’s 400m ahead of Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic (45.36) and Bahamian Wendell Miller (46.00).

World Indoor 60m bronze medallist Ackeem Blake ran 10.28 to finish second in the men’s 100m, just behind American Courtney Lindsey who ran the same time as Blake. Another Jamaican, Andre Ewers, ran 10.43 to finish third.

In the field, 2019 World Championships silver medallist Danniel Thomas-Dodd threw 18.72m for third in the women’s shot put behind American Maggie Ewen (18.95m) and Chase Jackson (19.88m).

Jamaican Chanice Porter jumped 6.36m for second in the women’s long jump. The USA’s Taliyah Brooks narrowly won the event with 6.38m while Puerto Rico’s Alysbeth Felix-Boyer was third with a season’s best 6.28m.

Jamaica’s national 800m record holder, Navasky Anderson, will open his 2024 season at the 2024 Penn Relays set for April 25-27 at Franklyn Field.

Anderson, a bronze medallist at the 2023 Pan Am Games in Chile, will compete in the Olympic Development 800m at the meet.

“May the divine presence guide, protect, and empower me on this profound journey, enabling me to accomplish remarkable feats and inspire greatness,” he said in a statement on Instagram on Thursday announcing his participation.

Anderson’s personal best 1:44.70, which he did to qualify for last year’s World Championships in Budapest, makes him the third fastest man scheduled to line up in the field with only Kenyan Festus Lagat (1:44.31) and Great Britain’s Kyle Langford (1:44.49) going faster.

The field is completed by Kenyan Noah Kibet, Americans Vincent Crisp, Luciano Fiore, Sam Ellis, Japan’s Sho Kawamoto and Spain’s Mario Garcia Romo.

Two-time World 200m champion Shericka Jackson has withdrawn from the Miramar Invitational scheduled for Saturday at the Ansin Sports Complex.

This marks the third instance in which the current Olympic 100m bronze medalist has postponed her season opener.

Jackson previously withdrew from the JAAA Puma/Fuller/Anderson Development Meet at GC Foster College in Spanish Town on January 13 due to illness, and the Queen’s/Grace Jackson Development meet at the National Stadium on January 26.

"Never Quit. Unfortunately, Shericka won’t be competing at the Miramar Invitational this Saturday. Will definitely keep y’all updated whenever the season opener is scheduled," Jackson said in a post on her Facebook page on Friday.

She was scheduled to compete in the 200m.

Jackson is the second high-profile athlete to withdraw from the meet as reigning world 100m champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the USA also announced her non-participation on social media on Wednesday.

St Lucia erupted in joyous celebration on Friday afternoon as World Indoor 60m champion Julien Alfred returned home to launch her much-anticipated foundation, the Julien Alfred Foundation, on Saturday morning. Alfred's arrival was marked by a hero's welcome, with thousands of adoring St Lucians gathering at the airport and lining the streets to greet their beloved sprinting sensation.

Amidst the cheering crowds and vibrant displays of cultural festivities, Alfred embarked on a spirited motorcade that led to the Prime Minister's official residence, where she met with cabinet ministers amid an atmosphere of jubilation.

As the first-ever St Lucian to secure a global gold medal, Alfred's return symbolized a momentous occasion for her homeland. The scenes of dancers, stilt walkers, and exuberant supporters underscored the profound impact of her achievements on the island's youth, many of whom aspire to follow in her illustrious footsteps. (See video below)

Sports Minister Kenson Casimir noted that due to logistical considerations, only a limited number of individuals, a 1000, were permitted inside the Hewanorra International Airport to greet the superstar athlete, ensuring a safe and controlled environment for the festivities.

Supported by her generous sponsors, Puma and First National Bank, in addition to her personal contributions, the Julien Alfred Foundation aims to address critical needs within St Lucia's youth community, particularly focusing on the provision of essential school supplies and athletic equipment.

Reflecting on her own modest beginnings, Alfred expressed a heartfelt commitment to nurturing the potential of St Lucia's youth. "I just wanted to give back to the youth," she emphasized, "whether it's academically or in sports, I want to provide them with opportunities I wish I had at their age."

Alfred's return home and the imminent launch of her foundation represent a pivotal moment in her journey, signaling a deep-rooted commitment to uplifting her community and inspiring future generations of aspiring athletes and scholars.