American Noah Lyles added the Olympic 100m title to his World 100m crown won last year in Budapest with a narrow victory over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson and American Fred Kerley in the final of the men’s 100m at the Stade de France in Paris on Sunday.

Thompson, the Jamaican national champion and current world leader in the event, looked set to claim his maiden Olympic gold medal at about the 85m mark before Lyles used his trademark fast finish to just out-dip him in the end.

Both Lyles and Thompson ended with identical times of 9.79 but Lyles won by five thousandths of a second when the times were rounded down. Lyles’ time was 9.784 compared to Thompson’s 9.789.

Fred Kerley, the 2022 World champion, ran 9.81 for bronze.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine narrowly missed out on a medal running 9.82 in fourth while defending champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy was fifth in 9.85.

Letsile Tebogo (9.86), Kenneth Bednarek (9.88) and Oblique Seville (9.91) rounded out the field.

Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville have the top two fastest times going into the 100m finals set for later today.

Thompson, the newcomer, easily won his heat in 9.80s, 0.01 faster than his compatriot Oblique Seville who cruised to a personal best 9.81 to win his heat while looking across at the brash American Noah Lyles who ran 9.983.

The USA’s Fred Kerley was second in Thompson’s heat in 9.84,  a season’s best.

Also through to the final are South Africa’s Akani Simbini (9.86), Letsile Tebogo (9.91), and reigning Olympic champion Marcel Jacobs, who ran a season’s best 9.92. The USA’s Kenny Bednarek is also through to the final in 9.92.

Jamaica’s Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson expectedly headline Caribbean men through to the 100m semi-finals at the Paris Olympic Games, as both were very easy in winning their respective heats at Stade de France on Saturday.

Seville, Thompson, and compatriot Ackeem Blake, along with the British Virgin Islands’ Rikkoi Brathwaite and Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinosa, are the Caribbean representatives that remain on course for the final.

Currently the world leader at 9.77s, Thompson was easy in victory in heat one in 10.00s, ahead of Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati (10.08s) and Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinosa (10.11s).

Kenyan stalwart Ferdinand Omanyala topped heat two in 10.08s, ahead of Italy’s Chituru Ali (10.12s) and Joshua Hartmann (10.16s) of Germany. Trinidad and Tobago’s Devin Augustine (10.31s) was fifth in that heat and missed out on the semi-finals.

Great Britain’s Louie Hinchcliffe sprang a surprise to win heat three in 9.98s, upstaging American Noah Lyles (10.04s), who had to work somewhat toward the end. South Africa’s Shaun Maswanganyi (10.06s) secured the third automatic spot in the heat. Naquille Harris (10.38s) of St. Kitts and Nevis missed out.

Seville also ran a relaxed race to finish tops in heat four as he stopped the clock at 9.99s. Japan’s Sani Brown (10.02s) and Thailand’s Puripol Boonson (10.13s) also progressed. Bahamas’ Terrence Jones (10.31s) was fifth in that heat.

Heat five was topped by Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi (10.02s), ahead of Italy’s reigning Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs (10.05s) and Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (10.06s). Cayman Island’s Davonte Howell (10.24s) was sixth.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine produced a late surge to top heat six in 10.03s, ahead of Blake (10.06s) and Brathwaite (10.13s). Bahamas’ Wanya McCoy (10.24s) and Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald (10.40s) were fifth and eighth, respectively.

American Kenneth Bednarek was joint fastest in qualifying at 9.97s, which he clocked in winning heat seven, ahead of Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme (9.98s) and Canada’s Andre de Grasse (10.07s). Jose Gonzalez (10.40s) of the Dominican Republic was eighth.

A stacked eighth and final heat was topped by another American, Fred Kerly, who also stopped the clock in 9.97s. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo (10.01s) and Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (10.03s) also progressed.

Cejhae Greene (10.17s) of Antigua and Barbuda ran well for fourth, but wasn’t fast enough for one of the non-automatic qualifying spots, while Haiti’s Christopher Borzor (10.28s) was fifth.

As the highly anticipated men’s 100m showdown at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approaches, Stephen Francis, coach of Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson, remains unfazed by the prospect of Noah Lyles's mind games. Thompson, who boasts the fastest time in the world this year at 9.77 seconds set at the national championships in June, is seen as a formidable contender for the Olympic title.

 The blue-riband sprint promises to be an electrifying event, with Jamaicans aiming to reclaim the Olympic title last held by Usain Bolt, who won his third consecutive 100m gold at the 2016 Rio Games. Italy’s Marcel Jacobs claimed the title at Tokyo 2020, but American Noah Lyles, the 2023 World Champion, is determined to become the first American since Justin Gatlin in 2004 to win the Olympic 100m title.

 Lyles, who ran a lifetime best of 9.81 seconds at the London Diamond League meet, exudes confidence heading into Paris. “I beat everyone that I touch. I don’t see why the Jamaicans are any different. This is what I pray for, this is what I live for and I back myself up, don’t I?” Lyles stated.

 However, Francis believes that Lyles’s psychological tactics will have little impact on Thompson. “I don't think Noah Lyles can play mind games this time," Francis remarked in response to a question from Sportsmax’s Donald Oliver. “I think you will find he plays mind games with those he is faster than. I don't think he will have the opportunity this time around, but we will see if his mind games work on people who have demonstrated they are a lot faster than he is.”

 Lyles faces a formidable challenge from the Jamaican duo of Thompson and Oblique Seville. With Thompson’s blistering 9.77 and Seville’s own impressive performances, the stage is set for a thrilling contest.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has unveiled its formidable team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. The team, comprising over 60 athletes, is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.

Leading the charge is sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will make her fifth Olympic appearance after debuting in Beijing in 2008. Joining her is newcomer Kishane Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year, who headlines a strong contingent of sprinters that includes Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake. Jamaica's men's 100m team is eager to reclaim Olympic glory after missing out on medals in Tokyo 2020.

The women's sprint squad also features exciting new talent, with Tia Clayton, Lanae-Tava Thomas, and Niesha Burgher making their Olympic debuts. Janeek Brown and Ackera Nugent, both newcomers, are set to compete in the hurdles, adding depth to Jamaica's lineup along with two-time world champion Danielle Williams.

Shericka Jackson, aiming for her individual first Olympic gold, seeks redemption after a missed opportunity in Tokyo. Jackson, along with Thomas, who has shown impressive form this season, and Niesha Burgher will bolster Jamaica's medal prospects in the 200m. Andrew Hudson and Bryan Levell will take on the men's half-lap sprint.

In the field events, NCAA National Division One high jump champion Romaine Beckford makes his Olympic debut. Beckford, who won the NCAA title in June with a season-best 2.27m, hopes to translate his collegiate success to the Olympic stage.

 Lamara Distin will join Beckford in the high jump, representing the women's team.

The team also includes several standout athletes in various disciplines.

In the 400m, Junelle Bromfield, Stacey Ann Williams, and newly minted national record holder Nickisha Pryce will represent the women, with Stephenie Ann McPherson as a reserve. The men's team features Sean Bailey, Deandre Watkin, and Jevaughn Powell, with Rusheen McDonald serving as a reserve.

In middle-distance events, Natoya Goule-Toppin and Adelle Tracey will compete in the 800m, with Tracey also taking on the 1500m. On the men's side, Navasky Anderson will represent Jamaica in the 800m.

The hurdles events will see Janeek Brown, new national record holder Ackera Nugent, and Danielle Williams competing in the women's 100m hurdles, with Megan Tapper as a reserve. The men's 110m hurdles team includes Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, and Hansle Parchment, with Tyler Mason as a reserve.

For the 400m hurdles, Rushell Clayton, Shiann Salmon, and Janieve Russell will compete for the women, with Andrenette Knight as a reserve. The men's team includes Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, and Malik James-King, with Assinie Wilson as a reserve.

In the long jump, Chanice Porter and Ackelia Smith will represent the women, while Tajay Gayle, Carey McLeod, and Wayne Pinnock will compete for the men.

The triple jump team includes Shanieka Ricketts, Kimberly Williams, and Ackelia Smith for the women, and Jaydon Hibbert and Jordan Scott for the men.

In the discus throw, Samantha Hall will compete for the women, while Roje Stona, Ralford Mullings, and Traves Smikle will represent the men's team, with Fedrick Dacres as a reserve.

In the shot put, Lloydricia Cameron and Danniel Thomas-Dodd will compete for the women, with Rajindra Campbell representing the men. Nayoka Clunis will compete in the hammer throw for the women.

The relay teams feature a strong mix of talent. The women's 4x100m relay team includes Tia Clayton, Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, with Alana Reid as a reserve. The men's 4x100m relay team consists of Ackeem Blake, Jehlani Gordon, Oblique Seville, and Kishane Thompson, with Jelani Walker as a reserve.

For the women's 4x400m relay, Junelle Bromfield, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Nickisha Pryce, and Stacey Ann Williams will compete, with Ashley Williams as a reserve. The mixed 4x400m relay team includes Andrenette Knight, Charokee Young, Zandrian Barnes, and Raheem Hayles, with Stephenie Ann McPherson and Kimar Farquharson as reserves.

The selection of relay teams will be at the discretion of the Technical Leader and his team. With a mix of experienced athletes and emerging stars, Jamaica's team is set to make a significant impact at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Grace Allen could not contain her joy as her son, Kishane Thompson, clinched victory at the Jamaica National Championships at Kingston's National Stadium on Friday night. Allen's pride and happiness were palpable as she reflected on her son's journey from a small-town athlete to a national champion.

Thompson, who turns 23 later this month, won the blue-riband sprint in a world-leading 9.77s, Oblique Seville finishing second in 9.82 and Ackeem Blake third in 9.92. Thompson’s winning time was the third-fastest-ever run inside Kingston’s National Stadium. Yohan Blake’s 9.75 run in 2012 and Usain Bolt’s 9.76 set in 2008 are the only times faster than the one set by Thompson, who is now tied as the ninth fastest man in history.

It was an accomplishment that left his mother beaming with pride. After his historic run, Thompson hurried to the warm-up area outside the stadium and after thanking his coach Stephen Francis, passionately embraced his mom in a show of love and gratitude.

“Oh, I am so elated. I am so proud of my son. He deserves it,” Allen said with a broad smile. “I was always looking forward to this because I know he is someone who really concentrates on what he is doing; he puts his all into it.”

Kishane Thompson, affectionately known as "Bigga," grew up in Mitchell Town, a community that always believed in his potential. Born at Lionel Town Hospital, Thompson showed early signs of athletic talent, racing ahead of his peers at Mitchell Town Basic School. “He always loved to run, he always came first on sports day,” Allen recalled with a laugh. “I used to do high jump at school at Mitchell Town Primary. I think he got the genes from me.”

Kishane attended Bustamante High School before being recruited to Garvey Maceo High School by then-principal Orett Wallace. Under the guidance of coaches Kirk Beckford, Oliver Heywood, and the legendary Neville Myton, Thompson honed his skills and became a standout athlete. In high school, he competed in the 100m, 200m, 4x400m, and 4x100m relays.

In 2019, Myton, a middle-distance legend, saw something special in Thompson, likening him to the great US sprinter Bob Hayes. Nicknamed "Bullet Bob," Hayes was an American sprinter and professional football player. After winning gold medals at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where he tied the then-world record in the 100m with a time of 10.06 seconds, Hayes played as a split end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys for 11 seasons. Hayes is the only athlete to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring. Myton predicted that Thompson would become one of Jamaica’s greatest sprinters.

That same year, Thompson won the 100m at Central Champs with a time of 10.59 seconds. Despite battling shin splints, he entered the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships (Champs) with a time of 10.47 seconds but unfortunately, he clocked a painful 43 seconds in his preliminary round. His rival, Oblique Seville, won the final in 10.36 seconds.

He also competed in the 200m, running 21.5 seconds in the heats but did not advance to the finals, which were won by Xavier Nairne in 20.81 seconds.

At the Penn Relays, Thompson anchored Garvey Maceo’s 4x100m team, leading them to a time of 43.16 seconds.

Allen, reflecting on her son's journey, expressed immense pride not just for herself but for the entire community of Mitchell Town. “All of Mitchell Town would be proud. I am sure they are.”

As Thompson's career continues to soar, his mother dreams of even greater accomplishments. “If he came back home with an Olympic gold medal? Oh my God! I would be so proud of him. I would be so elated.”

Thompson, who has a twin brother, has always had the support of his family and community. Now, as a national champion, he stands as a testament to hard work, dedication, and the power of dreams. His journey from Mitchell Town to the national stage is not just a personal triumph but an inspiration to young athletes across Jamaica.

Shericka Jackson claimed her third consecutive national 100m title on day two of the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.

The two-time World 200m champion produced a season’s best 10.84 to take top spot ahead of 19-year-old Tia Clayton who ran 10.90 to finish second after running a personal best 10.86 to get to the final.

Two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce booked a spot at her fifth Olympic Games with 10.94 in third.

The top six was rounded out by Shashalee Forbes (11.04), Kemba Nelson (11.14) and Alana Reid (11.14).

“I’m feeling good. I just wanted to qualify and I did so I’m okay,” Jackson told the media after her race.

“I only ran one 100m before these championships and my 200m haven’t been the best but you just have to trust the process and I’m here today,” she added.

On the Men’s side, Kishane Thompson delivered on the promise he showed in both the heats on Thursday and the semi-finals earlier on Friday with a personal best and world leading 9.77 to win his maiden national 100m title.

Oblique Seville ran 9.82 to take second while Ackeem Blake ran a season’s best 9.92 in third.

Bryan Levell (10.04), Jelani Walker (10.04) and Jehlani Gordon (10.07) rounded out the top six in the final.

In the Under-20 100m finals, Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge ran a brilliant personal best 11.13 to win the girls final ahead of Muschett High’s Shanoya Douglas (11.28) and Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery (11.29).

The boys equivalent was won by Gary Card of Wolmer’s Boys in a brilliant personal best of 10.07, the second fastest time ever by a Jamaican junior.

Herbert Morrison Technical’s Deandre Daley ran 10.16 for second while Kingston College’s Nyrone Wade was third in 10.36.

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.

Oblique Seville and Julien Alfred produced a pair of scintillating performances to claim the 100m titles at the Racers Grand Prix at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.

Seville produced a personal best and world leading 9.82 to claim the men’s race ahead of American World champion Noah Lyles and Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala.

Lyles’s time in second was a season’s best 9.85 while Omanyala ran 10.02 in third.

“I came out here in front of my Jamaican fans looking for a personal best and to get it today means a lot to me,” Seville said after the race.

“I just came out here to deliver. You’re always going to have ups and downs with the wind but you just have to run through it,” he added.

“As long as I’m healthy, expect good things,” was Seville’s response when asked about what fans can expect from him at Jamaica’s Olympic trials set for June 27-30.

In the women’s equivalent, St. Lucian World Indoor champion Julien Alfred sped to a personal best and meet record 10.78 to win ahead of Krystal Sloley who broke 11 seconds for the first time with 10.99 in second and Shashalee Forbes who ran a season’s best 11.05 in third.

Alfred says she didn’t expect to run that fast.

“I wanted to come out here and just work on execution. I didn’t expect that time and that’s why I was smiling so much,” she said.

Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, is eager to deliver a fast performance in the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston, Jamaica, later today. The 28-year-old will face World Champion Noah Lyles, Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, and Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes in a highly anticipated race expected to be the highlight of the meet.

At a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston on Friday, Omanyala discussed his goals and the significance of competing in Jamaica.

“Since the start of the season, I haven’t had good weather to run in because I have been running in rain, cold weather, so I’m happy I’m in Jamaica and it’s very hot," Omanyala said. "Looking at my previous runs in hot weather, my best one was in Botswana where I ran 9.78, so I am looking forward to running and I am looking for a very fast time.”

Omanyala expressed his excitement about finally making it to Jamaica after multiple invitations.

“I am happy to be in Jamaica. I’ve been invited more than twice, so I’m glad I made it this time because it’s far from home. I am glad at this time it came up at a point where we are having our US tour, so it was close, and I am happy to be here. I’ve been told I have so many fans, so I want to see that on Saturday.”

The Kenyan sprinter also explained why he has set his sights on Usain Bolt’s 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, set in August 2009 at the Berlin World Championships.

“When I started running, the African record was far, and nobody thought that it could be broken, but we broke it twice. So, the same thing I say for all records—it is not that it is impossible, so we’ll get there,” said Omanyala, who holds the African record of 9.77 seconds set at the Kip Keino Classic in 2021.

With favorable weather conditions and a strong field of competitors, Omanyala is poised to make a significant impact at the Racers Grand Prix. Fans are eagerly awaiting his performance, hoping to witness a thrilling race and potentially record-breaking time.

With the Olympic Games now approximately 11 weeks away, Jamaica's Oblique Seville indicated his readiness for the global multi-sport showpiece, as he clocked an impressive personal best 19.96 seconds to win the men’s 200m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games at Piedmont Park, on Saturday.

Seville, running from lane four, in the four-athlete field, blew away the competition to win in a negative 1.1 metres per second wind reading, and took apart his previous best of 20.17s.

Such a performance from Seville certainly laid down a marker for what is to come at the Racers Grand Prix and National Trials in the coming months, as he targets a medal or two at this summer’s Paris Olympic Games.

The 23-year-old won ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who clocked a season’s best 20.04s, while American Elija Goodwin (20.47s) and Jamaica’s 400m World champion Antonio Watson (20.99s), completed the field.

There were no such fortunes for the Caribbean ladies in the women’s 200m, as Junelle Bromfield (23.44s) of Jamaica, and Guyana’s Aliyah Abrams (23.47s) were fourth and fifth respectively. The event was swept by Americans Lynna Irby-Jackson (22.67s), Kennedy Blackmon (22.96s) and Lauren Williams-Jones (23.18s).

The same was true for Jamaica’s Demisha Roswell (12.98s) and Yanique Thompson (13.13s), who placed fourth and fifth respectively in the women’s 100m hurdles. American Kendra Harrison (12.67s) finished tops ahead of Nigeria’s World record holder Tobi Amusan (12.73s) and Great Britain’s Cindy Sember (12.86s).

Carey McLeod placed third in the men's long jump.

America’s World 110m hurdles champion Grant Holloway topped the event in a World leading 13.07s, running in a slight headwind. Robert Dunning (13.40s) and Michael Dickson (13.50s) were second and third, also with season’s best marks.

The much-anticipated men’s 150m was expectedly won by American World sprint double champion Noah Lyles, who stopped the clock in 14.41s. Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (14.66s) and Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando (14.86s) were second and third, while Jamaican Tyquendo Tracey (15.90s) was fifth.

In the men’s long jump, Jamaica’s Carey McLeod continued his good early season form with a third-place finish, after a best leap of 7.92m. The event was won by Italy’s Mattia Furlani, who cut the sand at 8.06m, while American Damarcus Simpson was second with a season’s best leap of 7.94m. Bahamian Laquan Nairn (7.70m) was fifth.

Jamaica’s Chanice Porter, with a season’s best 6.58m, and Tissanna Hickling (6.50m), were fifth and sixth in the women’s long jump, won by American Tara Davis-Woodhall, who cut the sand at 7.17m. Another American Quanesha Burks (6.89m) and Nigeria’s Ese Brume (6.87m) were second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Akani Simbine indicated that he was still a part of the conversation for in the men’s sprints, as he topped the 100m with a World Leading 9.90s in a slight 0.4 metres per second headwind. Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (10.00s) and American Kendal Williams (10.05s) were the runners-up.

American Aleia Hobbs won the women’s 100m in a season’s best 10.88s in a slight tailwind of 0.5 m/s. Her compatriots Tamar Clark (10.98s) and Mikiah Brisco (11.00s), also clocked season’s best for second and third.

Take it from the incomparable Usain Bolt that the race for the men’s 100m title at this summer’s Paris Olympic Games will be wide open, as he is yet to identify any clear favourite to stake a claim on the coveted gold medal.

Bolt, whose words carries the weight of his unparalleled legacy, gave his views on the possible Olympic outcome, as he also shared thoughts on the progress of male sprinting in Jamaica, which he believes remains alive with the emergence of Rohan Watson, Oblique Seville, Ackeem Blake, Ryiem Forde, and Kadrian Goldson, in particular.

Seville has been the main protagonist on that list, as he has consistently knocked at the door of a global 100m medal over the years. He placed fourth at both the 2020 Olympic Games and last year’s World Championships.

The 23-year-old’s rise from promising newcomer to bona fide contender has captured the imagination of Jamaican track and field enthusiasts at home and abroad. With blistering speed and unwavering determination, Seville has carved out a name for himself as one of Jamaica's most promising talents, and along with the others, carries the hopes of a nation known for its sprinting prowess.

“I think these athletes represent our chances, but it is all about execution. I think over the past years, it (Jamaica’s male sprinting) has been struggling, but I do think that Oblique has been keeping it alive,” Bolt, the ambassador for Red Stripe’s ‘Guh Fi Gold and Glory’ campaign, told journalists during the event’s launch in Half Way Tree on Wednesday.

“He has made all the finals so far; it is just for him to now get in the top three. And I think it's just consistency. I think the one thing with Oblique is that he always gets injured, but hopefully he can be consistent this season and stay on the right path and he'll be fine. So, I'm just looking forward to seeing them,” the iconic sprinter added.

Though American Noah Lyles, who copped the sprint double at last year's World Championships, has been a dominant force, his compatriots Fred Kerly, silver medallist at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, and Christian Coleman are also prominent contenders, while the young generation of Jamaican sprinters –Watson, Seville, Blake, and Goldson –have also entered the conversation.

Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, and Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, are also expected to be in the mix in Paris, while Italy’s Marcell Jacobs and Canada’s Andre De Grasse, the gold and bronze medallists from the 2020 Games in Tokyo, are yet to enter the fray ahead of the global multi-sport showpiece.

While it is still early days yet, Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medallist and the world’s fastest man over 100m and 200m, expressed optimism about Seville’s Olympic Games medal prospects, as he believes the young sensation has proven that he can match strides with those names on the list.

“Let's see what happens. I think it's early. No one is doing anything, and I haven't seen anything impressive so far. So, I think it is still wide open. I am really hoping Oblique can break into the top three this time around. I think he has always worked hard over the years, and he is always in the final and always doing well. So hopefully, he will break into the top three,” Bolt said.

On that note, Bolt, who is looking forward to a second Olympic Games as a spectator since his retirement in 2017, believes the athletes stand ready to write the next chapter in the country’s storied history of success.

“Overall, we all have high hopes. The throwers, jumpers, everybody. Everyone is doing well, and you can see where they are stepping up. The medal tally will be good as always. Jamaica always shows up. We always get at least five medals, and I think we are aiming to get eight to 10 medals in Paris,” he shared.

“I think the athletes will (maintain their performance). Jamaica is always up there. We are still the sprint capital of the world, and I think we will continue to dominate,” Bolt ended.

Winning a first global individual medal at last year’s World Championships whetted Zharnel Hughes’s appetite for more success, and so it comes as no surprise that the Anguillan-born Great Britain sprint sensation is strongly optimistic about clinching a medal at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

In fact, if Hughes’s confidence to top his performances from last year is anything to go by, then he could very well accomplish the feat, provided he maintains a clean bill of health throughout the season.

During last year’s electrifying campaign, which ended with his World Championships bronze in the men’s 100m final, Hughes broke Olympic champion Linford Christie’s 100m British national record when he clocked a personal best 9.83 seconds at the New York Grand Prix, in June.

A month later, at the UK Athletics Championship, Hughes ran a brisk 19.77s, which is faster than John Regis’s national 200m record, but the time was wind-aided and, as such, was recognised as a record. However, Hughes, with his superb form, inevitably established a new record when he clocked a wind-legal 19.73s at the London Diamond League.

With that in mind, coupled with his relentless work ethic and resolute pursuit of excellence, Hughes is poised to make another significant impact on the world stage this year. Whether or not it will be an Olympic gold medal triumph is left to be seen.