Jamaica’s Jaydon Hibbert has advanced to the final of the Men’s triple jump at the Paris Olympics.

The 19-year-old, in his first Olympic Games, produced a best jump of 16.99m to advance sixth overall in qualifying at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

That 16.99m came in his first-round jump. He then did 16.95m in round two before closing out his qualifying campaign with a foul in the third round.

The other Jamaican in the field, Jordan Scott, had a best jump of 16.36m to finish 24^th overall in qualifying.

Medal contenders Pedro Pichardo, Jordan Diaz Fortuin and Hugues Fabrice Zango all successfully made it through to Friday’s final.

In an entertaining night of track and field at the National Stadium in Kingston, Marie Jose Ta Lou Smith stole the show with a scintillating victory in the women's 100m at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational. The Ivorian sprinter, clocking an impressive 10.91, electrified the crowd of over 16,000 spectators, setting the stage for a remarkable season ahead.

Ta Lou Smith, visibly moved by the enthusiastic reception from the Jamaican fans, expressed her deep appreciation for the warm welcome and the incredible atmosphere. "It was incredible. I feel like it was at home," she remarked after her race. "I have never really felt like that, only in France, but here is really amazing. I have to come back to Jamaica."

The 10.91 season opener provided a peek into Ta Lou Smith's early form and her determination heading into the Olympic year. "10.91 for the opening of the season, I was feeling really good," she shared. "I am going to watch back the race with my coach and see what I did well."

Krystal Sloley finished second with a time of 11.09, demonstrating strong competition in the women's 100m event. Kemba Nelson secured third place with a time of 11.12, rounding out a podium filled with promising talent.

Beyond the competition, Ta Lou Smith also savored her time in Jamaica, relishing not just the athletic experience but also the warm camaraderie with local athletes, especially Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whom she considers a sister. "From the first time I stepped outside the airport I was like this is really feeling like home," she shared. "Coming here and seeing all the people, the atmosphere was great. It was amazing."

Marlon Reid photo: Forte and Blake battling to the line on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in the men's 100m final, Julian Forte and Ackeem Blake engaged in a thrilling duel. Forte claimed victory by a narrow margin, both clocking season-best times of 10.02. Brandon Hickling from the USA secured third place with a time of 10.09, while Jamaica's Kadrian Goldson finished closely behind with a time of 10.10, rounding out the top four.

Marlon Reid photo: Jaydon Hibbert soared out to a winning mark of 17.57m

In the field events, young talent Jaydon Hibbert made a mark in the triple jump, continuing his impressive form from the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix. Hibbert's leap of 17.57m from 12 steps highlighted his potential, exciting the crowd and promising more to come in the season ahead.

Hibbert's impressive performance was complemented by Jordan Scott, another Jamaican athlete, who secured second place with a jump of 16.84m. O’Brien Wasome completed the top three with a jump of 16.62m, showcasing Jamaica's depth in the triple jump event.

Olympic 400m champion Steven Gardiner laid down the gauntlet for the world’s quarter-milers on Sunday when he won his season opener in impressive fashion at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix.

The Bahamian, who was unable to defend his world title in Oregon last year because of foot injury, showed that he was back to his best, winning in in 44.42, the third fastest time in the world this year. No other competitor was close as compatriot Alonzo Russell was almost a second behind in 45.24.

Jamaica’s Javon Francis ran a season-best 45.81 for fourth with compatriot Demish Gaye fifth in 45.92.

Puerto Rico’s Gabby Scott won the 400m in 51.65 with the USA’s Courtney Okolo making a late move to snatch second in 52.23 ahead of Jamaica’s Candace McLeod who was third in 52.30.

The 100m races delivered in the expected excitement.

Christian Coleman took advantage of a bullet start to win the 100m final in a windy 9.78 (3.8 m/s). Noah Lyles surged late to get by Ackeem Blake to finish second in 9.80 with the Jamaican Blake taking third in 9.87.

Kadrian Goldson won the Men’s B final in a wind-aided 9.96 (3.8m/s) ahead of compatriot Michael Campbell 10.11 with the USA’s Chris Royster third in 10.21.

The Women’s 100m was also a thrilling affair won by the USA’s Tamari Davis in 10.91 with Jamaica’s Sashalee Forbes running a lifetime best of 10.98 for second place. Celera Barnes of the USA ran a season-best of 11.01 for third place.

Kemba Nelson was fifth in a season-best 11.14.

Shannon Ray won the Women’s ‘B’ final in 11.04 (2.7m/s) over Ashley Henderson (11.12) and Jamaica’s Remona Burchell (11.15). Jonielle Smith (11.18).

Earlier, Andrenette Knight set the tone for Caribbean athletes when she won the 400m hurdles in 54.90s in what was a Jamaican 1-3-4.

Knight, 26, who’s time was a season best, took the lead from the USAs Anna Cockrell at the sixth hurdle and never relinquished it holding off a late challenge from Cassandra Tate of the USA who finished in 55.06.

Shian Salmon ran a season-best 55.56 for third place with Rhonda Whyte fourth in the same time. Salmon got third by virtue of stopping the clock at 55.551 to Whyte’s 55.556.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn won the 100m hurdles in 12.17 aided by a 3.5m/s wind. Finishing second was Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, who clocked 12.38 while the USA’s Tonea Marshall third in 12.39. Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper was fourth in 12.47.

Jamal Britt of the USA won the 110m hurdles in 12.99 (4.0 m/s). Eric Edwards finished second in 13.07 with Freddie Crittenden third in 13.13 in a USA 1-2-3. Tyler Mason (13.30) and Damion Thomas (13.38) were fourth and fifth, respectively.

First-year pro, Abby Steiner outclassed the field to win the 200m in 22.06 holding off Bahamian Anthonique Strachan (22.34) was second while Mackenzie Dunmore was third in 22.50. Jamaica’s Ashanti Moore was fourth in 22.78.

 In a dramatic conclusion to the Women’s long jump, Tara Davis-Woodhall leaped out to a wind-aided 7.11m to win over rival Quanesha Burks, whose 7.04m had in her the lead until Davis-Woodhall’s final jump.

Ruth Osoro of Nigeria jumped a personal best 6.82m for third place.

Will Claye won the triple jump with 17.45m over compatriot Donald Scott, who’s effort of 17.06m was the same as Jamaica’s Jordan Scott but was better on the countback.

A Jamaican women’s team of Remona Burchell, Ashanti Moore, Sashalee Forbes and Jonielle Smith won the 4x100m relay in 42.80 in a blanket finish with USA Red (42.83) and USA Blue (42.87).

The USA’s Men’s team of Christian Coleman, Kendall Williams, Josephus Lyles and Terrance Laird won the men’s sprint relay in 38.21 over USA Blue (38.81) and Jamaica – Damion Thomas, Kadrian Goldson, Jevaughn Whyte and Michael Campbell – was third in 39.51.

Jamaican sprinter Ackeem Blake became the second Jamaican, alongside Oblique Seville, to dip below 10 seconds in the 100m this season when he did so at the New York Grand Prix at the Icahn Stadium on Sunday.

The former national Under-18 100m champion finished second in a personal best 9.95 seconds in a race won by 2019 World Champion Christian Coleman (9.92) of the USA. Coleman’s US teammate Marvin Bracy was third in 10.03.

Blake, whose personal best before this season was 10.35, actually had a 9.92 performance, at the Music City Track Festival earlier this month, overturned after the race because of an apparent false start.

Elsewhere, former Calabar standout Javon Francis ran 45.73 to finish second in the 400m behind the USA’s Tyler Terry (45.70). South Africa’s Derrick Mokaleng was third in 46.55.

Jordan Scott did a season-best 16.69 for third in the triple jump behind Americans Donald Scott (16.81) and Will Claye (16.75).

On the women’s side, Bahamian Tynia Gaither ran 22.66 for third in the 200m behind the American pair of Sha’Carri Richardson (22.38) and Tamara Clark (22.62).

Shiann Salmon ran 55.28 for third in the 400m hurdles behind Panama’s Gianna Woodruff (54.35) and Colombia’s Melissa Gonzalez (54.98).

2019 World Championships silver medalist Danniel Thomas-Dodd was second in the shot put, with 18.40m, behind the USA’s Jessica Ramsey (18.90m). Ramsey’s countrywoman Raven Saunders threw 17.92m for third.