In a heartwarming display of holiday spirit, a group of retired Jamaican athletes, including Sportsmax track and field analyst, publisher and author Danielle Dowie, brought Christmas cheer to the young patients at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston on a special Tuesday afternoon.

The initiative was orchestrated by Robert Wagner, a renowned track and field agent, whose athletes, including Dowie herself, gathered to share joy with the children. Freddy James, Wagner's local assistant, and the agent for weightlifter Sammy Depass also joined the cause, turning the hospital visit into a memorable event.

Accompanying Wagner, James, and Depass were esteemed retired athletes, Olympic gold medallists Nesta Carter and Melaine Walker as well as double Olympic silver medalist Yohan Blake, and Rhonda Whyte. The gathering of these accomplished individuals aimed to spread happiness and festive spirit to the young patients at the Bustamante Hospital.

 Blake,the 2011 100m world champion, in a gesture of generosity, donated cases of his Riviere Water and Pedialyte rehydration fluids, contributing to the festive atmosphere at the hospital. However, the act of kindness didn't end there, as the group engaged in a quiet but meaningful handover of gifts. Dowie, the 2013 CAC 400m hurdles gold medallist, sharing the details of the event, explained that books authored by her were among the donations.

“It was just kind of a quiet handover. So it wasn't anything heavy. We donated some of my books. Robert and Freddy donated some books, and I went in and I read with the kids. Everybody grabbed a book, and they were reading along, and it was really fun," said Dowie, reflecting on the heartwarming experience.

The simple act of reading and sharing books with the young patients added a touch of warmth to the holiday season, leaving lasting memories for both the athletes and the children at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Danielle Williams, the 2015 World 100m hurdles champion, pulled off a confidence-boosting victory at the American Track League Atlanta Meet in Atlanta on Saturday, where several Jamaica athletes continued to fine tune their preparations for their national championships next month.

400m hurdler Rhonda Whyte, quarter-miler D’Andre Anderson and 800m runner Rajay Hamilton were also among the winners.

Williams, the 2019 World Championship bronze medallist, ran a season best 12.62 into a headwind of -1.5m/s in what was a comfortable victory over Kaylor Harris, who ran a personal best 12.92 for second place. Mulern Jean claimed the other podium spot after running 13.04 for third place.

Whyte also clocked a season-best time of 55.11 while winning the 400m hurdles over Lauren Hoffman who finished in second place in 55.77, a season-best. Lashana Graham who will be representing Jamaica at the CAC Games finished third in 56.67.

Anderson produced a lifetime best of 45.87 to win the 400m at a canter over Brian Faust (46.18) and Evan Mafila, who ran a lifetime best of 46.22 for third place.

Several other Jamaicans won podium spots at the meet.

Among them were Lafranz Campbell and Damion Thomas who were second and third, respectively in the 110m hurdles that was won by Dylan Beard in 13.32. Campbell and Thomas ended up in a blanket finish with Campbell clocking a season-best 13.51 for second with Campbell awarded third in 13.52.

The in-form Tamari Davis won the 100m in 11.08, just ahead of Natalliah Whyte, who seems to be rounding nicely into form with an 11.12 clocking for second place. Maia McCoy was third in 11.16. Whyte picked up another second-place finish in the 200m in 22.94 behind winner Jessika Gbai, who ran 22.78 for the win.

Shakima Wimbley ran a season-best 23.16 for third place.

It was a 1-2 finish for the Jamaicans in the 800m that saw Hamilton finish in 1:47.06 to Tarees Rhoden’s 1:47.20. Jake Ulrich finished third in 1:48.24.

The Women’s 400m was run over four sections and Jamaica’s Natoya Goule ran a nippy 51.76 to win her section but was fourth overall behind Quanera Hayes 51.74, Courntney Okolo 51.72 and winner Makenzie Dunmore 51.46.

Chanice Porter produced a leap of 6.52m for a second place finish in the long jump. Tiffany Flynn soared out to 6.70m for the win while Melissa Munoz finished third with her effort of 6.43m.

Olympic champion Omar McLeod and Britany Anderson won in impressive fashion at the American Track League meet in California on Saturday.

Jamaica looks set to qualify a men’s 4x100m relay team for the Tokyo Olympics this summer after running the second-fastest time in the world this year at a time trials meet at GC Foster yesterday.

Double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, Olympic and World Championships 400m bronze medalist and former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell have been named to a Jamaican selection that has named to participate in the World Relays set for May 1-2 in Chorzow, Poland.