Attorneys for Jamaica’s hammer thrower Nayoka Clunis have followed through on their promise, and have filed an urgent appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) Ad Hoc Division to seek a resolution regarding the athlete’s Olympic Games omission.

As a result of the application, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has once again been given a deadline to respond.

In accordance with Article 15 lit b. of the CAS Ad Hoc rules, the JAAA, as the Respondent, has until Friday, July 19, at 6:00pm Paris time (11:00am Jamaica time) to file a reply to Clunis’ application.

World Athletics, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and the International Olympic Committee were also listed as “Interested Parties” in the issue.

“Within the same timeline, the interested Parties are entitled to file a written submission if they wish to do so. Upon receipt of the written submissions of the Respondent and interested Parties, the panel will decide shortly after whether to hold a hearing,” the CAS Ad Hoc rules stated.

It is unclear what the outcome would be if the JAAA or the Interested Parties fail to respond.

Prior to filing the application, Clunis’ representatives, Sayeed Bernard and Emir Crowne, wrote to the JAAA and the JOA on Wednesday seeking an update about Clunis’ Olympic team status by 5:00pm, but their deadline was not met.

The issue stems from the fact that Clunis, who achieved a National Record of 71.83 metres in May, to be ranked in the top 32 in the world this year, was initially named to the JAAA’s athletics team for the Paris Olympics.

However, the 28-year-old’s dream of competing on the world’s biggest stage is now hanging in the balance due to a blunder from the JAAA, as her name was later omitted from the JAAA’s official list submitted to World Athletics.

“Following the Jamaican Olympic Trials, I was elated to receive notification of my official selection to Team Jamaica. Unfortunately, I have since found myself in a difficult position. Due to an omission made by the Jamaican Athletics Administration Association, my name was not officially submitted to World Athletics. As such, I do not have a position in the Olympic Games,” Clunis shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

CAS’s Ad Hoc Division deals with the arbitration of disputes that arise regarding major sporting events and usually decides within 48 hours.

 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.

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:

1. The JOA does not stipulate the number of persons a sport can have as officials on its team, which includes managers coaches, physiotherapists and massage therapists. The Paris Organising Committee of the Games, in keeping with well-established and known regulations regarding Olympic Games, uses what is commonly and globally referred to as the team size formula by which it calculates and determines the number of officials allowable based on an estimate of the number of athletes who are expected to qualify. Both the JAAA and Mr. Mills are aware of this fact.

2. The amount determined by the Paris Local Organising Committee of the Games may increase or decrease depending on the number of athletes who meet qualification standards set by World Athletics and who then are named by the JAAA after the national championships. For example, in the event Jamaica does not qualify for the Men’s 4 X 40OM relay, this will adversely affect the number of officials allocated to the sport.   Both the JAAA and Mr. Mills are aware of this fact. The seventeen officials requested by the JAAA are predicated on the assumption of seventy athletes qualifying for this Olympic games whereas in respect of the 2021 Tokyo games Jamaica had less.

3. Consequently, it is clear, as night follows the day, that the larger the size of the team, the greater will be the number of officials allotted. Both Mr. Mills and the JAAA are aware of this fact.

4. The JAAA, without the prior knowledge of the JOA, negotiated a contract with a third party to host a camp in Stuttgart, Germany, and, thereafter, called upon the JOA to foot the bills when it knew that the JOA had previously indicated that a detailed budget of any proposed camp should be submitted for approval before any commitment was made to the third party.

5. Notwithstanding that breach of basic transparency and of standard principles of accounting protocols, the JOA made repeated requests of the JAAA, verbally in meetings and in writing (including through JOA’s Games Manager with responsibility for track and field, Olympian Mr. Donald Quarrie) to furnish the JOA with details of the contractual arrangements so as to enable the JOA to determine  payment against invoices in keeping with standard accounting regulations and practices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic movement. The JOA has noted that the majority of requests made by the JAAA for the Camp relates to cash. Regrettably, to date, the JAAA has failed and/or refused to comply which unfortunately has placed them irretrievably at risk.

6. Two meetings were held with board members of the JAAA on which occasions Mr. Garth Gayle was absent and Mr. Ludlow Watts was present and the JAAA attendees openly expressed their satisfaction with the progress made and cordiality of the talks which defies Mr. Gayle’s assertion of hostility.

7. The statement made by the JAAA, through its Treasurer, Mr. Ludlow Watts, that the JOA has been and is undermining the Association and track and field, is therefore, to say the least, comical and more so in light of the following:

1. In 2017, when the JAAA was strapped for cash in honouring its obligations in respect of a games, it approached the JOA through Mr. Garth Gayle, its then General Secretary who at that time was also the Second Vice President of the JOA, pleading for assistance to which the JOA, without reservation, acceded and granted the JAAA a loan of $3,000,000.00 which was repaid after the due date.

1. The JOA’s leveraging partnership funds in the amount of $46,000,000.00 in bonuses and rewards in relation to the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games for the benefit of athletes and coaches of track and field, which was pioneering in many respects. The JAAA is aware of this fact and welcomed the initiative which the JOA took and will continue to take in the interest of athletes and the sport of track and field.

1. The award made to five track and field athletes, through the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship since 2018 was valued at over $25,000,000.00. The beneficiaries were Demish Gay, Sashalee Forbes, Daniel Thomas-Dodd, O’Dayne Richards and Kai Chang all of whom were approved by the JAAA.

1. The JOA’s immediate response to the appeal to it by athletes for help in their preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games by providing funding, to five of them, totaling $6,500,000.00. The beneficiaries are Shaneika Richards, Malik James-King, Nyoka Clunis, Samantha Hall and Christoff Bryan

1. The JOA’s financial support of $30,000,000.00 for the period 2021 to 2024 which witnessed the successful inauguration of a series of meets in 2021 which it called “Olympic Destiny” in preparing athletes for the Tokyo Olympic Games;  financial support of  the Milo Western Relays and a Jamalco Track Meet;  financial support, through a partnership agreement executed with Supreme Ventures Limited, of the various National Trials from 2021 to 2024 of which fact the JAAA is fully aware. For this year’s JAAA national trials the JOA will contribute $5,000,000.00.

1. The JOA’s funding of the installation of and repairs to the lights at the Usain Bolt Track in response to pleas made to it by athletes, initiated by Olympian Fedrick Dacres;

1. The JOA’s approval of several additional requests made by the JAAA regarding the Paris 2024 Olympic Games namely:

40. payment of a per diem of US$40.00 per day during the games which was specifically requested by the JAAA to which the JOA agreed 100%;

1. payment of the costs for extra pieces of luggage for each athlete and official which was specifically requested by the JAAA to which the JOA agreed 100%;

• allotment of seven personal coaches which were specifically requested by the JAAA to which the JOA agreed 100% and these were in addition to the fourteen Primary Team Officials (PTO) allotted to the JAAA;

1. confirmation of JOA’s advice to the JAAA that, in the event the sport has more athletes qualifying, then the Paris Olympic Organising Committee of the games would increase the number of the PTOs based on the team size calculator operated by it and vice versa;

1. JOA’s full agreement to fund long layovers (to include hotel accommodation)  for athletes and officials travelling to the Paris 2024 Olympic games; and

1. JOA’s agreement to JAAA’s specific request to provide phones, sim cards and rehydration among other requisites for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
   

8. In the face of such irrefutable facts, the JOA finds it inconceivable and quite disturbing that some executive members of the JAAA and Mr. Glen Mills could be so irresponsible in their statements. Accordingly, we encourage them, in the interest of their sport and the reputation of Jamaica, to be circumspect in speech and professional in their undertakings.

9. The JOA notes the consistent tendency of some members of the executives of the JAAA to misrepresent facts for their own purposes. The JOA invites caution.

10. Finally, the JOA expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the innumerable athletes, coaches, sport administrators and stakeholders and corporate personalities who, since the very unfortunate remarks, have communicated their unqualified support of our continued professionalism and vision for sport.

 The Jamaica Olympic Association

June 25, 2024.

Following Jamaica's underwhelming showing at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) has released a statement addressing the significant hurdles that impacted the team's performance, including unexpected athlete withdrawals and other challenges leading up to the event.

Only Jamaica's men's 4x100m relay team qualified for a final and an automatic spot in Paris this summer. However, the mixed 4x400m relay team, women's 4x100m relay team and the women's 4x400m relay team were forced to qualify through a second-round of heats that got them into the 14 teams that automatically qualified for the Summer Games.

 In their official statement Wednesday, the JAAA acknowledged the concerns of Jamaican track and field supporters and highlighted the challenges faced leading up to the event.

 "We share the consternation of the Jamaican Track and Field supporters at the showing of our athletes at the recently concluded World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas," expressed the JAAA.

 They emphasized the standard procedure of contacting athletes, coaches, and agents to confirm availability before selection, with a specific deadline in place. Despite meticulous planning, the team encountered significant withdrawals, compelling them to proceed with the athletes who were available.

 "After selection and team entry, we were plagued with withdrawals and had to continue with those available," stated the JAAA.

 While Jamaica eventually managed to qualify all other teams, the men's 4x400m relay team has been left with the daunting task of running a time fast enough by the June 30 deadline to get into Paris.

 The JAAA acknowledged that the team faced unforeseen challenges that impacted their usual level of performance.

However, specific details regarding these challenges will be forthcoming once the JAAA receives comprehensive reports from the management team, including medical and technical assessments from the ground.

"Heartiest congratulations to those who represented us as we strive to keep Jamaica's flag high," concluded the JAAA in their statement, recognizing the efforts of the athletes who competed under challenging circumstances.

Thirteen dedicated track and field coaches have reached a significant milestone by successfully completing the World Athletics Coaches Education Certification System (CECS) Level 1 Program. This achievement underscores their commitment to advancing their coaching skills and expertise in athletics.

Under the new CECS model, candidates underwent an intensive online course managed by World Athletics, culminating in a practical assessment conducted by preselected assessors through the partnership between the Jamaica Track & Field Coaches Association (JATAFCA) and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

Garth Gayle, President of the JAAA, highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, "This is a new arrangement between the JAAA and the Coaches Association in working together to get all our coaches certified." He emphasized that completion of the Safe Guarding Module will soon become mandatory for recognition as a track and field coach in Jamaica, aligning with World Athletics standards.

Among the newly certified coaches are notable former athletes such as Andre Wellington (Kingston College) and Ricardo Cunningham (Munro College), along with accomplished coaches including Ransford Spaulding (John Mills All Age), Jeffrey Ellis (Herbert Morrison), James Hill (Iris Gelley Primary), and Rosalee Wedderburn (Emann Prep), the only female in the cohort.

David Riley, President of the Jamaica Track and Field Coaches Association, welcomed the coaches into the association, encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing. "The journey has just begun," remarked Riley, urging the coaches to uphold high standards in coaching to elevate Jamaica's performance on the regional and global stage.

The cohort of certified coaches also includes Itego Campbell (St Thomas Tech), Andre Barnaby (Kingston College), Noel Wedderburn (John Rollins Success Primary), Orane Smith (Mt St. Josephs Catholic), Dwayne Pinnock, DuWayne Webb (Elite), and Chad Edwards.

Looking ahead, two additional assessments are planned for July and November this year, providing further opportunities for coaches to advance through the World Athletics Coaches Education Certification System, which comprises three levels catering to coaches of various age groups: Level 1 for Youth Coach (U16), Level 2 for Junior Coach (U20), and Level 3 for Senior Coach (20+).

The successful completion of the Level 1 Program marks a significant achievement for these coaches and underscores Jamaica's commitment to developing and nurturing coaching talent in track and field, ultimately enriching the country's athletic landscape.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced a significant contribution of  JMD$10 million (approximately USD$64,000) from the Sports Development Foundation to support the staging of the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational Meet, scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Kingston on May 11, 2024.

Minister Grange expressed full support for the Invitational, highlighting its importance in providing athletes with a platform to assess their status and make necessary adjustments ahead of upcoming competitions, including the Olympics.

"This Invitational Silver Continental Category Meet, as per World Athletics Standard, will allow athletes and coaches to accurately assess their status and make the necessary adjustments to achieve the preferred results in good time for the upcoming Olympics," Minister Grange stated.

She emphasized the significance of hosting international athletes from the Caribbean, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, fostering healthy competition and camaraderie among participants.

Minister Grange extended a warm welcome to all athletes and emphasized the dual focus on performance and positive social interactions during the meet.

"Competitions of this calibre force all athletes to participate at peak performance while forging positive social interactions and camaraderie. So while great focus will be placed on the performances, an after party awaits you," Minister Grange added enthusiastically.

The Jamaica Athletics Invitational Meet has already confirmed participation from international stars such as World Indoor Champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia, Dina Asher Smith from Great Britain, 2022 World 100m champion Fred Kerley, Trayvon Brommel, and rising triple jump star Jaydon Hibbert.

With the support from the Sports Development Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational promises to be an electrifying event, showcasing top-tier athletic talent and promoting the spirit of sportsmanship and competition.

“Let the games begin!” the Jamaican sports minister declared.

As the local sporting fraternity continues to grapple with news of the tragic slaying of national cricket manager Gibbs Williams, Paul Beckford and Davion Ferguson are already reflecting on the life and impact the prominent son of the soil had on many.

Williams, who was also a vice principal at GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in St Catherine, was gunned down on Friday afternoon at the compound of a medical facility in Portmore.

It is reported that Williams was called outside of the medical facility and shot by unknown assailants. He was later rushed to the Spanish Town Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

A former Cricket Coach at Waterford High School, and Wolmer’s Boys School, Williams unearthed the talent of Jermaine Lawson.  He served the JCA as manager of the Under-19 cricket team and also as Physical Trainer.

Williams was the manager of the Jamaica Under-19 team, that recently won the double Regional U-19 Championship, and also served as the manager for the just-concluded West Indies Under-19 team tour to Sri Lanka.

Beckford, another vice principal at the Angels-based institution explained that a pall of gloom permeated the atmosphere as students and teachers alike, are still coming to terms with the situation.

“It is very somber, as we speak, we are doing some counselling to try and see how best we can help each other through this difficult period. I can’t find the words to express how great a loss it is, especially knowing that I spoke to him earlier because he was at work and then left to go to the doctor,” Beckford told Sportsmax.tv.

He recollected Williams’s dedication to his craft as both a lecturer and cricket manager, as well as his commitment to guiding those under his tutelage.

“Just think about somebody who motivates and instills discipline. In everything he always wants to help young people and pushes them to get the best of them. Everything that an educator or a parent would want from those under their care, that is the kind of person he was,” Beckford shared.

“We don’t really know what happened, if we were to say anything now it would just be speculating but he doesn’t deserve this and only God knows and we only hope that whoever it was will come forward,” he added.

Ferguson, a former student and assistant coach of GC Foster College, recalled how he and Williams met through their mutual acquaintance with the now-deceased Glenston Hutchinson.

The Jamaica College Head coach, like Beckford, spoke highly of Williams, who was affectionately known as “Gibbo”.

“I am not usual lost for words but right now it is hard to comprehend. Gibbo was more than a lecturer, he was a role model, a father figure, he motivated everyone and generally had a positive impact on those he came in contact with. It really hits hard and both GC Foster and the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has lost a monumental figure,” Ferguson said.

“He was my lecturer in college plus he was very close friends with Hutchinson, so we grew into a friendship, and he would always see me and say, ‘boy coach “Hutchie” would be proud, and I am also proud of your achievements.’ So, he played a huge role in my upbringing from my time at GC Foster.

“Nobody really knows what happened, but no matter what the situation is, I don’t think any human being deserves to have their life taken and certainly not Gibbo, who had such a big heart and looked out for others,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Athletics Administrative in sending condolence to the GC Foster College community, expressed shock and sorrow at Williams’s untimely passing.

“Mr. Williams was not just a dedicated educator but also a pillar of strength within your institution. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of students, his tireless efforts in promoting physical education and sports, and his genuine care for the welfare of the school community were truly remarkable,” the JAAA release said.

“In times like these, it is difficult to find words that adequately express the depth of our sympathy. We share in your grief and stand by your side as you mourn this profound loss. Mr. Williams’s contributions to the college and the lives he touched will be remembered with great respect and fondness,” the statement added.

The Jamaica Cricket Association was also saddened by the tragic situation.

“Gibbo was passionate, enthusiastic and a tireless servant of cricket. We pray that his soul is judged with mercy,” the JCA release stated.

Yohan Blake and his management team have unequivocally denied any validity to a widely-circulated article stating that the 2011 World Champion will be taking legal action against the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) over a timer malfunction at the recently-concluded National Championships at the National Stadium.

The article which is said to have been published on Wednesday, July 12, derived from the fact that Blake ran by himself in an attempt to make the men’s 100 metres semi-finals, after he was initially disqualified for a false start.

During his run against the clock, Blake, the World’s second-fastest man over the distance was clocked at 10.32 seconds, which was not good enough to see him through to the next round.

While it was rumoured that the 33-year-old was not pleased with the time, his manager Timothy Spencer has since cleared the air.

“Yohan has no intention of suing anyone,” Spencer told Sportsmax.TV.

Blake, who is in Silesia, Poland also rubbished the 'report' stating, "I dont know where this is coming from. I have moved on already and I'm focussing on the races ahead of me. In my head I'm already thinking about 2024 and hope I can represent Jamaica in the Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris."

Meanwhile, when contacted JAAA’s president Garth Gayle said the article "is not credible because we have no official documentation."  

For many years, Jamaica has been known in the track and field world mostly producing historically great sprinters.

Recently, however, the country has seen its success at the global level spread to many other disciplines in the sport such as the jumps and the throws.

President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), Garth Gayle, is encouraged by this trend and hopes to see it continue.

“This all came about under the leadership of the late Howard Aris,” Gayle told SportsMax.TV at the launch of the Racers Grand Prix at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday.

“I was the honorary secretary at the time and I remember several of our executive meetings where he made it clear to all of us, in such simple terms, that there will come the day when other countries will challenge us successfully in the sprints,” Gayle said.

“He went on to say that sprinting is a base for many other disciplines in track and field and that we need to start to venture and provide training grounds for coaches and competitions for the athletes in the different disciplines. That is why we have seen the improvement in the throws and in the jumps. I believe it has done us well,” Gayle added.

Over a short period of time, Jamaica has seen the emergence of the likes of Tajay Gayle, Shanieka Ricketts and, more recently, Jaydon Hibbert among others in the jumps as well as names like Fedrick Dacres and Danniel Thomas-Dodd in the throws.

Gayle became Jamaica’s first ever long jump World Champion when he jumped a National Record 8.69m, the 20^th longest jump in history, to win gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

Ricketts is a two-time World Championship silver medallist in the triple jump from Doha in 2019 and Eugene in 2022.

Jaydon Hibbert, who is only 18, won triple jump gold at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali in 2022 and, earlier this season, set a World Junior Record 17.54m to win at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque.

We also saw the likes of Carey McLeod and Ackelia Smith win long jump medals at those same NCAA Indoor Championships.

Lamara Distin is undefeated this season in the high jump and broke her own National record earlier this season while, at last year’s World Under-20 Championships, another Jamaican, Brandon Pottinger, took home high jump gold.

In the throws, Dacres and Thomas-Dodd won silver medals in the discus and shot put, respectively, at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

Gayle also outlined that clubs around the country have systems in place to ensure this trend continues.

“Our club systems are growing stronger and they too are of that similar mindset and we are seeing the benefits. GC Foster College must never be left out of the equation because they, in a similar way, are speaking that language.”

“We must continue to raise the bar. Jamaica has, without doubt, an abundance of sporting talent. We just need to continue to harness it and develop it,” he added.

 The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has announced the withdrawal of a team to the World Athletics Relays set for May 1-2 in Chorzow, Poland.

In a release issued on Tuesday evening, the JAAA cited the difficulty of travelling during the pandemic and existing COVID-19 protocols as the reason for its decision.

“Based on existing travel restrictions, routing and possibilities since then, caused by the SARS Covid 19 Pandemic, it has become extremely challenging for the Jamaican team and officials to participate,” the release read.

Last week, the JAAA announced that an experienced team had been selected to take part in the event.  Double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, Olympic and World Championships 400m bronze medalist, and former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell were among the headliners selected for the Jamaica squad.

Thompson was expected to be part of a 4x100m relay squad that included Natasha Morrison, Natalliah Whyte, Remona Burchell, Kasheika Cameron, and Shashalee Forbes.

She was also down to compete in the less often contested 4x200m, with Whyte, Forbes, Candice McLeod, Tiffany James, and Anastasia LeRoy.

Powell would have led a 4x100m team that included Oshane Bailey, Nesta Carter, Julian Forte, Nigel Ellis, Romario Willams, and Kadrain Goldson.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has received approval from the relevant government authorities to stage a series of competitive meets in order to allow junior and senior athletes the opportunity to sharpen up.

In the main, local track and field events have not been held on the island since March of last year, as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.  The government recently announced plans to re-start sporting events on a case by case basis and the event, called the JAAA Qualification Trial Series, will be the first approved for the track and field local governing body.

The trials will be on February 27, held across several venues across the island, and have specific events on offer.  Among the events on offer will be the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 2000m SC, 3000m, 5000m, 70mH, 80mH, 100mH, 110mH, 400mH, 4x100m, 4x400m, 4x200m, 1600m SMR, Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus and Javelin.

Athlete’s wishing to compete in the meet must sign a COVID-19 waiver, with waivers signed by parents for athletes under-18.  The meets will feature no spectator with strict COVID-19 protocols in full effect at all the venues.