Malik James-King produced a stunning performance to win his maiden national 400m hurdles title on day two of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.
James-King became the second fastest Jamaican in the history of the event with a massive personal best 47.42, almost a full second faster than his previous personal best of 48.39 done earlier this season, to claim the win.
National and World junior record holder and World Championship finalist Roshawn Clarke ran 48.04 in second while Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jaheel Hyde ran 48.35 for third.
“I just executed my race as best as I could,” James-King said after his stunning performance.
“I was just focusing on how I train, taking every hurdle as they come. I wasn’t really watching anyone and just running my race,” he added.
Regarding the time, James-King said he’s more excited than surprised.
Clarke was happy to get on his first Olympic team.
“The strategy tonight was to execute as best I could, get myself in the top three and make the team and work from there,” he said.
“I wanted to go faster but I made the team so I can’t complain,” he added.
Two-time World Championships bronze medallist Rushell Clayton continued her fantastic form this season with a massive personal best to claim her second national 400m hurdles title on day two of the JAAA National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.
Clayton ran a brilliant 52.51, the second fastest time ever by a Jamaican, to add to her national title back in 2019.
Her previous personal best was 52.81 set at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.
Five-time national champion Janieve Russell will be going to her third Olympic Games after running a season’s best 53.33 in second while Shiann Salmon will be heading to her first Olympic Games after running a personal best 53.71 for third.
Clayton's time was just outside of Melaine Walker's national record 52.42 set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
World Indoor 60m champion and record holder Devynne Charlton officially booked her spot at this summer’s Paris Olympics by claiming her sixth Bahamian 100m hurdles title on day two at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Senior National Championships at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau on Thursday.
The highlight of day two was the women’s 100 meters hurdles final where Charlton was expected to be challenged by the versatile Charisma Taylor and 30-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II All-American Denisha Cartwright.
In the end, Charlton comfortably took the win in 12.62 seconds while Taylor was a distant second in 12.94 seconds. Cartwright rounded out the top three with 13.01 seconds.
All three are headed to the Olympic Games from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.
Texas Tech sophomore and former World U-20 Champion Antoine Andrews took the men’s 110m hurdles crown with a new personal best 13.34, eclipsing the previous national record 13.35 he shared with Jahmaal Wilson.
Rasheem Brown of the Cayman Islands was second in 13.50 while Otto Laing finished third in 14.03 seconds.
Due to a scheduling conflict, former world and current Olympic Champion Steven Gardiner missed the men’s 400m final last night. It was up to Wendell Miller and Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell to carry the mantle.
However, they would fall short of the qualifying standard for the Olympics of 45 seconds flat.
Miller won the national title in 45.65 seconds. Russell finished second in 46.06 seconds and Gregory Seymour was third in 47.54 seconds.
The women’s 400m final, featuring former world and current Olympic Champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo and the lady who beat her in the heats Javonya Valcourt, will be ran on Friday.
Over to the field events, Shyrone Kemp pulled off an upset in the men’s long jump, winning that event with a leap of 7.66m. LaQuan Nairn, an 8m-plus jumper, had to settle for second with a jump of 7.58m while Jalen Cadet finished third with a jump of 7.16m.
Nairn has a personal best leap of 8.22m and the qualifying distance for the Olympics is 8.27m.
Anthaya Charlton won the women’s long jump event with a leap of 5.99m. Apryl Adderley was a distant second with a leap of 5.16m. The qualifying distance for the Olympics is 6.86m.
Kishane Thompson produced a stunning performance in the heats of the Men’s 100m on day one of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.
The Stephen Francis-coached sprinter produced a personal best 9.82, the joint, second fastest time in the world this year, to win the second heat. Ackeem Blake also went below 10 seconds for the first time this season with 9.95 to finish second behind Thompson in that heat and advance.
Sandrey Davison (10.00) and Sachin Dennis (10.04) both also made it through to Friday’s semi-finals from heat two after producing new personal bests while Nigel Ellis was the fifth semi-finalist from that heat with a time of 10.13.
Oblique Seville, who produced fourth place finishes at both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, looked super comfortable on his way to 9.98 to win heat one ahead of Bryan Levell (10.07) and Jehlani Gordon (10.09). Levell’s time is a new personal best.
Julian Forte produced a confident 10.00 to win the third heat ahead of defending National champion Rohan Watson (10.07) and Tyquendo Tracey (10.09). Jazeel Murphy produced a personal best 10.11 to also make it through from that heat alongside Travis Williams whose 10.13 was also enough to make it through.
2023 World Championship finalist Ryiem Forde won the fourth and final heat in 10.02 ahead of Kadrian Goldson (10.12) and Jelani Walker (10.21).
The semi-finals and final are scheduled for Friday.
Two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and two-time World 200m champion Shericka Jackson officially got their bids to make it to the Paris Olympics underway by getting through to the semi-finals of the Women’s 100m on day one of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.
Fraser-Pryce, in her second race of the season, eased to a season’s best time of 10.98 to advance to Friday’s semi-finals as the fastest qualifier.
Tia Clayton ran a personal best 11.02 to also advance from Fraser-Pryce’s heat while Ashanti Moore ran 11.24 in third to also advance.
Jackson also looked in cruise control, jogging to a season’s best 10.99 to win her heat. Jodean Williams came agonizingly close to dipping below the 11-second barrier for the first time with a personal best 11.01 in second while Alana Reid also advanced with 11.20 in third. Niesha Burgher's 11.32 was also enough to take her through.
The third heat produced five semi-finalists with Natasha Morrison (11.12), Kemba Nelson (11.16), Shockoria Wallace (11.24), Briana Williams (11.25) and Lanae-Tava Thomas (11.27) all getting through to the semis.
Shashalee Forbes (11.03), Krystal Sloley (11.12), Tina Clayton (11.13) and Jonielle Smith (11.23) advanced to the semi-finals from heat four.
The semi-finals and final are scheduled for Friday.
Defending National champion Sean Bailey will get an opportunity to make it two in a row after successfully advancing to the final of the Men’s 400m on day one of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.
Bailey was the only man in the semi-finals to go below 45 seconds when he ran 44.95 to win his heat ahead of NCAA Championships bronze medallist Jevaughn Powell (45.00) and World Championship finalist Demish Gaye (45.18).
Raheem Hayles (45.55) and Anthony Cox (45.98) both made it through to the final from heat two.
Reigning World Champion Antonio Watson was also in this heat but pulled up with a calf injury about 120 metres into the race.
The first heat was won by Deandre Watkin in 45.19 ahead of Zandrion Barnes (45.34) and national record holder Rusheen McDonald (45.60).
World Championship finalist and national record holder Roshawn Clarke and Malik James-King led all qualifiers to the final of the Men’s 400m hurdles final on day one of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.
James-King, who ran a personal best 48.39 at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational in May, was the fastest qualifier on Thursday with a fast 48.68 to win his semi-final.
Clarke, who finished fourth at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, was the second fastest qualifier with 49.06 to win his semi-final while the third semi-final was won by 2014 National champion Roxroy Cato in 49.48.
The other finalists include Assinie Wilson (49.88), Jaheel Hyde (50.02), Antonio Forbes (50.39), Robin Black (50.45) and Demar Murray (50.54).
The final is scheduled for Friday.
Title contenders Janieve Russell, Andrenette Knight and Rushell Clayton all successfully booked spots in the final of the Women’s 400m hurdles on day one at the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.
Russell, who finished fourth at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, was the fastest qualifier in Thursday’s semi-finals with 54.00 to win her heat ahead of Knight (54.09).
Clayton, the fastest Jamaican in the world this year and a bronze medallist at the last two World Championships, won her heat in 54.54.
The other finalists include 2017 National champion Ronda Whyte (55.77), 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Shiann Salmon (56.49), Ole Miss sophomore Gabrielle Matthews (56.95), Lashanna Graham (57.20) and Edwin Allen High’s Tonyan Beckford (57.74).
The final is scheduled for Friday.
Debbie Byfield-Russell expressed heartfelt gratitude after being honoured along with three other Olympians at a special ceremony dubbed “Beyond the Podium: Recognizing our Olympians and Team Champions," held at the Alhambra Inn in Kingston on Tuesday night. The event celebrated the achievements of Byfield-Russell, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Winthrop Graham, and Ian Weakly.
Byfield-Russell, who competed for Jamaica at the 1972 Olympics in Munich as a member of the 4x100 relay team and retired in 1980, was moved by the recognition. Reflecting on the honour, she told Sportsmax.TV, “I don’t care how long it took as long as it’s done. I appreciate it so very much because when I think about how many people of the seven billion in the world get to be an Olympian, it’s kind of special."
Foster-Hylton, a three-time World Championship medalist, who represented Jamaica at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games, was also honoured. Winthrop Graham, the silver medallist in the 400m hurdles at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, and Ian Weakly, who competed in the 400m hurdles at the 2000 and 2012 Olympic Games, were among the celebrated athletes.
In addition to the Olympians, JAAA President Garth Gayle, Timekeeper Winston Harvey, JAAA Executive Member Dennis May, and JAAA and ISSA Competitions Officer Ewan Scott were honoured for their contributions to athletics in Jamaica.
Byfield-Russell’s athletic journey began at White Marl Primary School in St Catherine and continued at Excelsior High School, where she won the 100m and 200m at the Girls Championships in 1972. She went on to represent Jamaica at various international events, including the 1971 and 1975 Pan American Games, the Carifta Games, and the 1978 Commonwealth Games. She continued to compete for Jamaica until her retirement in 1980.
After retiring from athletics, Byfield-Russell pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Physiology with a minor in Nutrition from California State University in Hayward in 1994. She became a founding member of the Jamaica Olympians Association in California and served on the board of the Excelsior Alumni in Florida, contributing significantly to the community.
Reflecting on her time abroad, she said, “I went to school, I worked, I teach exercise, I am a grandmother, those things take up my time. I lived in California for a long time and was a founding member of the Jamaica Association of Northern California there. I moved to Florida eventually and I was there for 20 years and was on the board of the Excelsior Alumni. We worked hard, we gave a lot of money to DASH; I’ve been involved.”
DASH (Discipline, Ambition, Scholarship and Honour) Athletics is an organization past students of Excelsior High School that runs the school’s track and field programme. Byfield also helps fund Excelsior’s teams to the annual Penn Relays in the United States.
Having lived abroad for 52 years, Byfield-Russell returned to Jamaica two years ago and now resides in Mandeville. She shared her joy about moving back home, saying, “(It’s been) wonderful, won-der-ful. I get to be in the market, rub shoulders with my people and just enjoying myself. I am having a really good time. I am enjoying the weather there and also the peace and quiet.”
Her story is a testament to the enduring spirit of Olympians and their continuous contributions to their communities, even long after their athletic careers have ended.
Elaine Thompson-Herah has taken to Instagram to explain her decision to withdraw from Jamaica's national championships, a move that will prevent her from defending her 100m and 200m Olympic titles in Paris this summer. The national championships are set to begin on Thursday, June 27, just one day before Thompson-Herah's 32nd birthday.
Thompson-Herah, who made history by winning the sprint doubles at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, shared in a statement from her management team, Andi Sports Management, that she would not be competing due to an injury sustained at the New York Grand Prix earlier this month. She finished last in that race, clocking 11.48 seconds, and was visibly in pain, needing to be helped off the track and seen icing her foot afterward.
In her Instagram post, Thompson-Herah provided further insight into her injury and her decision to withdraw. “It’s never fun sharing news like this but at the New York Grand Prix I felt something in the race and still insisted to push. Couple steps to the line I realized something was really wrong. I sat on the ground because I couldn’t apply any pressure to the leg whatsoever as I was carried off the track,” she wrote.
She continued, “I went quickly to get some medical check up and found out that I have a small tear on my Achilles tendon. Funny enough I got back home with a strong mindset to keep pushing to prepare for my national trials, another shot at my third Olympics but my leg wouldn’t allow me to.”
Thompson-Herah expressed her disappointment but also her determination to recover and return to the sport she loves. “It’s a long road but I am willing to start over and keep working to make a full recovery and resume my track career. I am hurt and devastated to be missing the Olympics but at the end of the day it’s sports and my health comes first.”
She acknowledged the timing of the injury, noting, “Not the birthday gift I was hoping for but God, whatever you have in store for me I will wait and I will still continue to work towards my goals that I haven’t achieved yet. I will be definitely watching from the stands and cheer my country Jamaica on. I will be back!”
At the 2020 Tokyo Games, Thompson-Herah established a new Olympic record of 10.61 in the 100m and ran 21.53 to win the 200m.
Thompson-Herah's decision to withdraw has sparked an outpouring of support from fans, fellow athletes, and the global sports community, all wishing her a speedy recovery and expressing confidence in her eventual return to competition.
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) and Supreme Ventures Limited have rekindled their partnership with fresh five-year agreement, which both views as a cornerstone of their collective efforts to promote and develop the sport.
JAAA’s president Garth Gayle said the agreement valued at $25 million will go a far way in assisting his administration to offset expenses for the National Championships, which gets underway on Thursday, among other things, as they strive to ensure the best output for those under their charge.
Supreme Ventures began sponsoring the annual national track and field championships in 2004, and only took a break once in 2017, before returning a year later with a $10 million deal, and has never left since then.
“Supreme Ventures has laid the foundation for a fruitful and continuous relationship. We are very proud of what took place in the past and what will take place going forward. We are very grateful for their gesture and commitment of five years. As the governing body for athletics we cannot do it alone and while we operate within the guidelines and construct of rules and guidelines, at times we had to make adjustments but in consultation with our stakeholders,” Gayle said during a press conference at the JAAA’s offices on Wednesday.
“So this will go a very far way because I don't think the public understands how costly it is to put on a track and field, and an event such as our National Championships. It is a considerable amount of money and so the contribution by Supreme Ventures will go a far way in assisting us to make the event successful.
“What you are witnessing is the continued cooperation between the JAAA and an excellent philanthropic company Supreme Ventures. We want to work for the betterment of track and field in Jamaica. The JAAA is a caring organisation, and so we work with our partners to achieve the best for all concerned,” he added.
Kamal Powell, head of marketing at SVL explained that the betting company’s longstanding support for sports in Jamaica, particularly track and field, facilitates the consistency required, offering the resources needed to excel on the global stage.
“We understand that the journey of an athlete is one of dedication, perseverance and the relentless pursuit of excellence. From grassroots initiatives to supporting major national teams, our commitment to Jamaican sports has been unwavering. We have seen firsthand the incredible talent and potential of our athletes and we are dedicated to providing them with the resources and support they need to excel on the global stage,” Powell said.
“Our contribution is not just an investment in sports, it's an investment in the country and the country's future. By supporting our athletes, we're fostering the culture of excellence, discipline and perseverance. We believe that this commitment will help our athletes to achieve their dreams and allow them to continue to bring glory to the Jamaica and the world stage,” he added.
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has issued yet another response to comments made by Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle during a television interview, further intensifying the already heated exchange between the two organizations. The statement, released on Wednesday night, comes amidst growing tensions over, among other things, the number of officials allowed to accompany athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
In recent days, the JAAA and veteran coach Glen Mills have criticized the JOA, particularly over what they see as an insufficient athlete-to-official ratio for the upcoming Olympics. The JAAA had requested 17 officials to support the athletes, but the JOA has allocated only 14. This disagreement has sparked a series of public statements and interviews, with Gayle recently calling for a sit-down with the JOA to resolve the issues.
During a televised interview, Gayle claimed that he had not received the Technical Manual governing the sport of track and field from the JOA. In a strongly-worded statement, the JOA refuted this claim, stating, "By email sent on January 10, 2024, the said manual was sent to Mr. Gayle, Mr. Ludlow Watts, Miss Marie Tavares, and Miss Juliette Parkes, executives of the JAAA."
The JOA further clarified that Gayle, who served as the Second Vice President of the JOA from 2017 to 2021, was well-acquainted with the technical manuals and the team size formula, having chaired the JOA’s Games Commission. "Mr. Garth Gayle, while occupying the office of the Second Vice President of the JOA, was Chairman of the JOA’s Games Commission and was totally familiar with technical manuals and the concept of the team size formula which he administered in several meetings to associations respecting international games," the statement read.
The JOA also emphasized their willingness to engage in dialogue with the JAAA, noting that they had already met with the JAAA on two occasions, meetings from which Gayle was notably absent. "The JOA has always been open to meet with the JAAA and did so on two occasions on which Mr. Gayle was absent. The door remains open," the statement concluded.
This latest development underscores the ongoing friction between the two bodies as they navigate the logistics and preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The JAAA's concerns about the number of officials are grounded in the belief that a larger support team is crucial for the athletes' performance across various disciplines. However, the JOA's adherence to established formulas and regulations points to a broader challenge of balancing administrative protocols with the specific needs of the athletes.
As the feud continues to unfold, the sporting community in Jamaica watches closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the athletes’ best interests while maintaining organizational integrity and cooperation between the JAAA and the JOA.
Jamaica Athletics Administration Association (JAAA) president Garth Gayle has again waved the proverbial white flag as he made an impassioned plea for dialogue with the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) to amicably resolve their differences ahead of this summer’s Paris Olympic Games.
While it seems some tension was brewing between to two sporting bodies, things came to a head on Monday, when veteran track and field coach Glen Mills lashed JOA for its decision to limit JAAA to 14 team officials, as opposed to the 17 that was requested.
Mills didn’t hold any punches, as he tore into the JOA about the allotment which he cited as woefully inadequate given that the country is expected to field at least 60 track and field athletes at the global multi-sport showpiece.
“I have been to nine Olympics. It is a disgrace that you have to be fighting to get the required number of coaches, the required number of therapists and doctors to go with an Olympic team that is probably rated number two or three in the world,” Mills said.
“I find it very unfortunate that track and field, and what it represents in the Olympic movement, not just in Jamaica but worldwide, along with Jamaica’s history (has come to this). We are not beggars, we have earned it,” he added.
JOA president Christopher Samuda.
The JOA has since responded and labeled Mills’ remarks as "unfortunate and ill-conceived.”
According to the JOA, it does not determine the number of officials for each sport. Instead, the Paris Organizing Committee of the Games uses a globally recognized team size formula based on the estimated number of athletes who qualify.
The Christopher Samuda-led JOA revealed that both the JAAA and Mills were aware of this process.
Still, Gayle, while maintaining that the JAAA’s request for 17 team officials is reasonable, appealed for good sense to prevail between both parties, as his administration is open and willing to sit down and iron out the issues.
“Each Olympic there is what is referred to as a technical manual, we are yet to receive a technical manual from the Jamaica Olympic Association. In the past we would have already received it as that is one of the things by which we could clearly state what is the expectation. In that document would also be team calculated…we would have asked for that, but based on our investigation and how we would have conducted our business over the years, we know that what we have asked for is more than reasonable,” Gayle said during a press conference to renew a partnership with Supreme Ventures at JAAA’s offices on Wednesday.
He continued: “As we cement our partnership with Supreme Ventures, we want to return to those days when we sit and work amicably with the Jamaica Olympic Association. I think we need to stop sending letters, but rather sit down and discuss (things), because they as the governing body for the Olympics have all this information. So rather than us being at loggerhead, let us sit down and reason and carefully calculate the thing because we are sure that our numbers for the Olympics will be a large number, it always has been and we don't see it changing.
Glen Mills blasted the JOA for restricting the JAAA's numbers.
“So all we are asking for is dialogue. Let today mark my appeal for members of the JOA to meet with us to discuss this matter amicably. We have a team size that is more than reasonable and we believe that we are in the right to ask for our officials to properly take care of our athletes in Paris that is all we are asking for.”
Another bitter issue between the two associations surrounds a pre-Olympic Camp scheduled to be hosted in Stuttgart, Germany. This has the JOA chided the JAAA for negotiating the camp without its prior knowledge or approval.
However, Gayle pointed out that the decision to make their own arrangements was made after numerous failed attempts to secure the camp through the JOA.
“We have reached out on several occasions to the Jamaica Olympic Association seeking dialogue, so it would be remiss of us to know that other countries are putting together training camps and we the governing athletics body have not done so,” Gayle explained.
“And so it is in keeping with a tradition that we have sought a meeting, more than once, we did not get that. So we could not have sat back and not do anything, we would have been derelict in our duties, so we naturally moved on and sought appropriate accommodation for training of our athletes following the National Championships,” he added.
In a fiery response early Wednesday morning, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) addressed the explosive allegations made by veteran coach Glen Mills and Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle during a press conference on Monday. The JAAA officials had blasted the JOA's restrictions on the athlete-to-official ratio for the 2024 Paris Olympics, claiming the 14 allotted slots for team officials were grossly inadequate for the expected 60 track and field athletes. Mills also criticized the USD$40 per diem as insufficient, while Gayle described the JOA's relationship with the JAAA as "hostile" and said efforts to negotiate an increase in the number of officials to 17 had been futile.
The JOA labeled these remarks as "unfortunate and ill-conceived" and provided a comprehensive explanation of the process and regulations governing the allocation of officials for the Olympics. According to the JOA, it does not determine the number of officials for each sport. Instead, the Paris Organizing Committee of the Games uses a globally recognized team size formula based on the estimated number of athletes who qualify. Both the JAAA and Mills were aware of this process.
The number of officials may change depending on the number of athletes who meet qualification standards set by World Athletics. For example, failure to qualify for certain events, like the Men’s 4x400m relay, would reduce the number of officials allocated. The JAAA's request for 17 officials was based on an assumption of 70 athletes qualifying, whereas fewer athletes qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Games. The JOA emphasized that a larger team size results in a greater number of officials allotted, a fact that the JAAA and Mills were well-informed of.
JAAA President Garth Gayle
The JOA also addressed concerns regarding a training camp in Stuttgart, Germany, negotiated by the JAAA without JOA's prior knowledge or approval. The JOA had requested a detailed budget for the camp to ensure adherence to standard accounting regulations, but the JAAA allegedly failed to comply. Despite the JAAA's breach of transparency and standard accounting protocols, the JOA has continuously sought information to facilitate payment against invoices. The majority of requests from the JAAA reportedly related to cash, which the JOA found problematic due to the lack of detailed contractual arrangements.
In response to claims of hostility, the JOA highlighted two meetings with JAAA board members, during which progress and cordiality were noted, contrary to Gayle's assertions. The JOA also outlined several instances of financial support provided to the JAAA and track and field athletes. This included a $3,000,000 loan granted in 2017, $46,000,000 in bonuses and rewards for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, Olympic Solidarity Scholarships valued at over $25,000,000, and $6,500,000 in funding for five athletes preparing for Paris 2024. Additionally, the JOA has allocated $30,000,000 for the “Olympic Destiny” series and other events from 2021 to 2024.
Regarding the specific arrangements for Paris 2024, the JOA detailed several agreements made in response to JAAA's requests. These included a per diem of USD$40 per day, costs for extra luggage for each athlete and official, and seven personal coaches in addition to the 14 Primary Team Officials (PTO). The JOA also agreed to fund long layovers, including hotel accommodation, and provide phones, SIM cards, and rehydration requisites for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Glen Mills
The JOA concluded by urging JAAA officials to exercise caution and professionalism in their statements, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Jamaica's reputation. The JOA expressed gratitude to the athletes, coaches, sports administrators, stakeholders, and corporate personalities who supported their continued professionalism and vision for sport.
The battle between these two major sporting bodies is far from over, but the JOA's response aimed to set the record straight and reaffirm their commitment to supporting Jamaican athletics on the global stage.
See full JOA statement below:
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) notes the unfortunate and ill-conceived remarks, made recently at a press conference, by some officers of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) and the Honourable, Glen Mills, in relation to the apex body’s treatment of matters concerning the sport of Track and Field, generally and in relation to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games specifically.
The facts are as follows:
The Jamaica Olympic Association
June 25, 2024.
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