In a historic moment for Saint Lucia, September 27 will officially be declared "Julien Alfred Day," a national holiday in honor of Julien Alfred, who became the first athlete from the island to win an Olympic gold medal. Alfred made history by claiming gold in the 100 meters with a lifetime best and national record of 10.72 seconds, and also secured a silver medal in the 200 meters at the Paris Olympic Games. No St Lucian athlete had ever won an Olympic medal before her extraordinary achievement.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre made the announcement during a pre-cabinet press briefing on Monday, unveiling the grand celebrations planned for Alfred's return to the island. Alfred, who has become a national hero, will return to Saint Lucia on September 24 for the first time since her Olympic triumph. A series of events has been organized to mark the occasion, including a motorcade, school rallies, and a mural unveiling, culminating in a national holiday on September 27.

The celebrations will begin on September 24 when Alfred returns to Saint Lucia, where she will be greeted with a motorcade along the East Coast. On September 25, national school rallies will be held at Soufriere Mini Stadium and La Resource Playing Field to celebrate her achievements. The following day, September 26, Alfred will visit The Ciceron Primary School for the unveiling of a mural in her honour, followed by what officials have described as "massive announcements."

"Julien Alfred Day" will be celebrated with a free concert at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on the evening of the holiday, with Saint Lucians being encouraged to come out in large numbers to honor their national icon.

In response to the Prime Minister's announcement, citizens expressed their gratitude and pride, while also calling for further recognition of Alfred's accomplishments. Some suggested that Alfred should be awarded a diplomatic passport and the keys to the city of Castries. Others proposed the establishment of a Julien Alfred Fund for elite athletes and a legacy project aimed at developing sports in Saint Lucia to a world-class level.

Alfred’s achievements have not only brought immense pride to Saint Lucia but have also placed the island on the global athletics map. Her gold and silver medals at the Paris Olympics have inspired a new generation of athletes in Saint Lucia, and the celebrations are expected to be a momentous occasion of national unity and pride.

With the announcement of "Julien Alfred Day," Saint Lucians are set to celebrate not only Alfred's success but also the potential of their small island to produce world-class athletes who can compete and succeed on the biggest stages in sport.

Jamaican middle-distance runner Adelle Tracey is determined to return stronger after an injury hampered her 2024 Paris Olympic campaign, preventing her from making the finals of both the 800m and 1500m. Despite this disappointment, Tracey, who switched her allegiance to Jamaica in 2022 after representing Great Britain, remains motivated and focused on the future. She is eager to build on her recent successes, including breaking Jamaica's 1500m national record at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Tracey’s Olympic season was derailed by a plantar fascia tear that first occurred in May. The injury, which she sustained just before the start of the season, forced her to make significant adjustments to her preparation. “The tear first happened, actually in May. I was supposed to compete at the Diamond League in Eugene, and that was going to be one of my first races of the season. And literally the week before, I tore it in training. I couldn’t walk for a good week after that happened,” she explained.

Despite the setback, Tracey remained hopeful and kept pushing her season opener back while cross-training to maintain her fitness. “The whole time, I was cross training really hard because I was in great shape in May, just before I did it, so I was really kind of positive that I would hold on to some of that fitness,” she said. However, the pain from the injury persisted, especially with the demands placed on her foot. “It was just really tough because when it's a foot injury, there's no avoiding the pain because you put so much force through your feet,” she said, her anguish apparent.

At the Jamaican trials, Tracey pushed herself to compete in spikes for the first time since her injury, despite not being fully ready. “I set myself back a little bit at the Jamaican trials, having to put myself in spikes so early, but obviously I wanted to make sure that I secured automatic qualification for the Olympics,” she shared.

Reflecting on the mental challenge of competing while injured, Tracey admitted it was one of the toughest experiences of her career. “It’s so tough, especially the timing of this one, probably the hardest challenge I’ve had to overcome in sport,” she revealed. ” I worked harder than I’ve ever worked to get to that start line and be able to get round. So there was a lot of pride in even making it there and being able to put on spikes that week.”

Despite not being at her best, Tracey remained focused on giving her all in Paris. “My main goal was to race my best race. I just wanted to come away thinking, okay, I’ve actually done everything I could there, and I know that that's going to be so much easier when I'm healthy.”

While her Olympic campaign didn’t go as planned, Tracey’s earlier achievement at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest was a reminder of her talent and potential. In Budapest, she broke Yvonne Graham’s 28-year-old Jamaican 1500m record, clocking 3:58.77 in the semi-finals to become the first Jamaican woman to run under four minutes in the event. That performance solidified her status as a rising star in Jamaican athletics.

Now out of the boot that she had worn to protect her injury, Tracey has begun the rehabilitation process and is feeling optimistic about the future. “With a plantar fascia tear, it's just a case of healing. I wasn’t able to give it time to heal because I was trying to prepare for the Olympics, but now it's just a case of letting it heal. Now that I’ve come out of the boot, it’s about getting strong again and making sure that I have the proportions in place so that that doesn’t happen again,” she explained.

Tracey is already looking ahead to her recovery and the coming season. “I’ll start my rehab program, and I think I’ll probably do two weeks of strength and conditioning before I’ll be able to start returning to running. It might be like two minutes on, one minute off sort of running, and we’ll just build that back up.”

Despite the challenges, Tracey remains driven to return to competition in even better shape. “I think I’m more motivated than ever to kind of get back to where I was and beyond that,” she said. “I’ve got my sights set on the indoors as well because of not having the opportunities to have raced as much this year. I know I’ll be back running by the end of September, so actually, I’m ahead of schedule in terms of preparations for next year.”

Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent and Stacey-Ann Williams continued their impressive seasons with dominant performances at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial in Zagreb, Croatia, on Sunday. The meet, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold since 2020, featured several standout performances from Caribbean athletes, with Nugent and Williams leading the way.

Nugent, the world leader in the 100m hurdles with her blistering 12.24 set at the Rome Diamond League, once again demonstrated her class, claiming victory in 12.55. Facing a quality field that included former world record holder Kendra Harrison and Olympic silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela, Nugent ran a composed race to comfortably secure first place. Great Britain's Cindy Sember finished second in 12.67, with Harrison third in 12.76. 2022 World Championship silver medalist Britany Anderson of Jamaica finished sixth in 12.91.

In the women’s 400m, Stacey-Ann Williams ran the race of her life, clocking a lifetime best and meet record of 50.00 seconds to win the event. Williams faced strong competition but managed to hold off Norway’s Henriette Jaeger, who ran 50.22, and the USA’s Shamier Little, who finished third in 50.58. Barbados' Sada Williams, showing signs of fatigue after a long season, finished fourth in 51.23.

The Jamaican victories were part of a broader Caribbean presence on the podium in Zagreb. Shashalee Forbes finished second in the women’s 100m, clocking 11.23 behind Gambia’s Gina Bass Bittaye, who won in 11.13. The USA’s Jenna Prandini rounded out the top three with a time of 11.30.

In the 800m, Jamaica’s Natoya Goule ran a strong race to finish second with a time of 1:57.43, just behind Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir, who set a meet record of 1:57.00. Ethiopia’s Nigist Getachew finished third in a personal best of 1:57.47.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 110m hurdles, Tokyo Olympic champion Hansle Parchment secured third place in 13.25. Japan’s Rachid Muratake claimed victory in 13.14, holding off American Daniel Roberts, who finished second in 13.18.

Jamaica’s Shiann Salmon has rediscovered her best form after returning to train at home, and it’s paying off in spectacular fashion. Salmon, who has been a consistent force in the 400m hurdles this season, clocked a lifetime best of 52.97 seconds to win her first-ever Diamond League race in Zurich last Friday. This remarkable achievement not only secured her spot among the elite but also marked a significant personal milestone, as she became just the fifth Jamaican woman in history to break the 53-second barrier in the event.

 After graduating from Hydel High and spending a year at GC Foster College, Salmon ventured overseas to train with Tonja Buford, a US Olympic medalist turned coach. However, after a few seasons in the United States, Salmon felt the American environment was making her "soft" and unmotivated, which led to her bold decision last season to return to Jamaica to train under renowned coach Maurice Wilson at the Sprintec Track Club.

 “I don’t feel as if I ever needed to ‘justify’ doing something that I felt was for my best interest. However, I felt like the American lifestyle/system was never meant for me. I think I got a bit complacent and soft, so I returned to my roots,” Salmon explained.

 That decision has clearly paid off. Salmon has shown remarkable consistency this season, first setting a lifetime best of 53.13 in the Olympic final in Paris and consistently racing close to that mark in the lead-up to Zurich. But in Zurich, she finally broke through the elusive 53-second barrier, achieving her goal for the season.

 “I was thrilled. My overall aim for the remainder of the season was to break the 53 seconds barrier, so I was beyond happy when I realized that I had done so,” Salmon said. “I’m currently the fifth Jamaican woman to do so. I feel exhilarated, top 5 all-time is a big accomplishment and I’m grateful.”

 Reflecting on her performances before Zurich, Salmon felt her breakthrough was imminent. “Yes, I definitely felt it coming. My body is now used to running low 53s. My coach and I already predicted it, it was just a matter of me executing the races properly,” she shared.

 Only four other Jamaican women—Deon Hemmings, Melaine Walker, Kaliese Spencer, and Rushell Clayton—have ever broken the 53-second mark in the 400m hurdles. Now, Salmon joins that exclusive club, cementing her status as one of the best in the world.

 Looking ahead, Salmon is focused on finishing her season on a high. She will contest the Diamond League final in Brussels, with her sights set on another sub-53 performance. “My ultimate aim is to finish the season with another 52 performance. Anything else that comes with that is a bonus,” Salmon concluded.

With her decision to return to Jamaica proving to be the right move, Salmon’s resurgence has her poised to continue breaking barriers and reaching new heights in the 400m hurdles.

Jamaica's Tyrece Thompson secured a landmark victory on Saturday night, winning the Super Heavyweight Division at the 2024 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Pan American Championships held in Monterrey, Mexico. The week-long event, running from August 30 to September 7, showcased some of the top amateur mixed martial arts talents from across the Americas.

Thompson delivered an impressive performance in the final, defeating Guyana’s John Campayne to clinch Jamaica's first ever gold medal. Campayne, who put up a strong fight, took home the silver medal. Meanwhile, the bronze medals were shared by Guyana’s Lyndon Fung and the USA’s Anthony Alcala.

Thompson’s triumph is a major achievement for Jamaica and its growing presence in the MMA world, as the country continues to produce elite athletes in various combat sports disciplines. His victory at the IMMAF Pan American Championships is expected to further boost the development of MMA in Jamaica.

In other divisions, the Flyweight category saw Rocklyne Cornwall of Trinidad and Tobago sharing the bronze medal with Mexico’s Jorge Cobos Marin. Peru’s Jose Ayquipa won gold, while David Portilla of Colombia claimed silver. Guyana's Ezekiel Persaud earned a silver medal in the Strawweight Division, which was won by Jonatha Abad Hernandez Gonzales of Colombia.

The IMMAF Pan American Championships served as a platform to highlight emerging talent from the region, with athletes from countries like Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, and the USA putting on impressive performances. As the sport of MMA continues to grow across the Caribbean and Latin America, this event showcased the depth of talent and the bright future for these athletes.

With his victory, Thompson now joins the ranks of top amateur MMA fighters in the region, and his success at the Pan American Championships marks another milestone in his promising career.

Grenadian javelin thrower and two-time world champion Anderson Peters believes he is regaining his best form just in time for the Diamond League finals in Brussels. Peters, who claimed bronze at the Paris Olympics in August, secured victory at Thursday's Diamond League meeting in Zurich with a throw of 85.72m.

 Though not a season's best—his top mark this year being 90.61m—Peters is encouraged by his progress, especially after recovering from illness. "It still feels like I am coming back," Peters admitted. "After Lausanne, I was sick with the flu, so my body is still recovering. I have not been training, just relaxed and tried to recover. So it still feels like my body is on the way to top competition form."

 Despite the setback, Peters remains focused on finishing the season strong, with the Diamond League final in Brussels as his next target. "I was looking forward to competing here and seeing what my body can produce. I've got just one more competition for this year and I am done. Definitely, it is Brussels. It’s going to be my third time in the Diamond League final, and it will be my shot at the win."

Looking ahead to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Peters is confident in his ability to peak at the right time. The World Championships will take place later in the season, but Peters is unfazed, having previously won his world title in Doha in October. "That is something we know how to do, and it is just a matter of doing it again," he remarked.

 Peters also reflected on the unpredictable nature of javelin throwing, a quality he relishes. "The beauty of the javelin throw is that it is an unexpected event. One day you throw 90m, and another day you throw 80. It’s a little bit unpredictable, but that’s why most javelin throwers like it. You never know when you’ll get a good throw or when the world record could be broken," Peters said, referencing Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who set an Olympic record of 92m in Paris.

 "I like competing, and that keeps me going. That’s what I live for," Peters added. He also shared that he had already returned to Grenada briefly after the Paris Olympics to celebrate his success. "After Paris, I managed to go home for three days, so I’ve already had the celebrations, and it was good."

 As Peters gears up for his final competition of the season in Brussels, the Grenadian star is eager to continue pushing his limits as he seeks another Diamond League crown.

Jaydon Hibbert, one of the brightest young stars in track and field, has undergone minor surgery to repair a torn meniscus, an injury he sustained during the Jamaica National Championships. Despite the setback, Hibbert still managed to compete at the Paris Olympics, narrowly missing out on a medal while performing with the injury.

The torn meniscus occurred when Hibbert landed in an under-prepared pit during the Jamaica national championships, leading to an injury that required careful management in the lead-up to the Olympics. His coach, Travis Geopfert, who is now the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Kansas State University, expressed immense pride in Hibbert’s ability to battle through the pain and deliver a commendable performance in Paris.

"Yeah, we had to work through it, man. We had to modify things a little bit. I'm just really proud of him in his efforts, you know, because he was not 100 percent, but man, he battled. He put it out there. He tried, just off the medal, which is really good considering the circumstance," said Geopfert.

Hibbert's grit and determination were on full display despite being physically compromised, showcasing his potential as one of the sport's rising stars. Following the Olympics, Hibbert underwent surgery to clean up the meniscus, a procedure Geopfert described as "not major." The young jumper is expected to make a full recovery and will be "good to go" once rehabilitated.

Although Hibbert’s injury forced him to miss the recently concluded World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, Geopfert remains optimistic about his future.

Geopfert also praised his other jumpers who competed in Paris, including Wayne Pinnock, who won silver in the men’s long jump, Carey McLeod, who made the long jump final, and Romaine Beckford, a high jump finalist. Geopfert commended their perseverance in the face of adversity.

"I'm really proud of the group. Life is not perfect, and injuries are part of the sport. Managing the imperfections of the body is part of it too. What I'm most proud of is how these guys managed everything and fought through adversity. They competed extremely well at the Olympic Games," Geopfert said.

While Pinnock’s silver medal and the presence of multiple finalists were significant achievements, Geopfert emphasized that the high standards of the group always push them to aim higher. Despite injuries and other challenges, the coach was "nothing but proud" of how his athletes performed on the biggest stage in the sport.

Jamaican athletes Shashalee Forbes, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, and Orlando Bennett delivered standout performances, claiming victories in their respective events at the LX Palio Citta Della Quercia Meeting in Rovereto, Italy, on Tuesday.

Forbes, who was a semi-finalist in the 100m at the Paris Olympics, showcased her speed once again by winning the women’s 100m dash in 11.17 seconds. She edged out fellow Jamaican Natasha Morrison, who was a close second in 11.22 seconds. Morrison narrowly beat the USA’s Celera Barnes, who clocked 11.23 to take third place.

McPherson, a seasoned competitor nearing the end of her illustrious career, ran a season’s best of 50.65 seconds to triumph in the women’s 400m. In a thrilling race, McPherson held off a strong challenge from Barbados’ Olympic finalist Sada Williams, who finished just behind in 50.67. Another Caribbean athlete, Shafiqua Maloney, took third with a time of 50.75, completing an all-Caribbean podium. Jamaica’s Stacey-Ann Williams finished fifth in 51.12.

Orlando Bennett emerged victorious in a closely contested men’s 110m hurdles, clocking 13.45 to narrowly beat the USA’s Cordell Tinch, who finished in 13.46. Roger Iribarne of Cuba rounded out the podium with a time of 13.54.

In other notable performances, Zandrian Barnes of Jamaica finished second in the men’s 400m, running a season’s best of 45.30. Brazil’s Mathesus Lima won the race in a time of 44.99, while Belgium’s Johnathan Sacoor took third in 45.33. Rusheen McDonald of Jamaica finished fourth in 45.62, while Wendell Miller of the Bahamas was sixth in 45.74.

In the field events, Jamaica's Romaine Beckford continued his strong post-Olympic form, finishing second in the high jump with a clearance of 2.26m. Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi took the win, clearing 2.29m. In the long jump, Jamaica's 2019 world champion Tajay Gayle also secured a second-place finish with a leap of 7.96m, just behind winner Anvar Anvarov, who jumped 7.99m. Gayle's compatriot Shawn-D Thompson also jumped 7.96m but finished third on countback.

The performances of the Jamaican athletes in Rovereto underscored their strength on the international stage, as they continue to make their mark late in the season.

Bahamian sprint hurdler Devynne Charlton has been forced to call an early end to her season after suffering a stress fracture during the 100m hurdles at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Friday, August 30. The 28-year-old, who was a finalist in the 100m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics, did not finish the race in Rome, which was won by Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent in a world-leading 12.24 seconds—a new national record.

Charlton’s 2024 season had been nothing short of spectacular. In March, she claimed the world indoor 60m hurdles title in Glasgow, setting a new world record of 7.65 seconds in the process. This remarkable achievement marked the second time Charlton had broken the world record in 2024, having previously set a new mark of 7.67 seconds at the Millrose Games in New York in February.

The news of Charlton’s injury and subsequent decision to halt her season was announced by her agency, Preeminence Sports Group, via Instagram on Monday. The statement read: “@dvynn_’s season comes to a halt due to a stress fracture at the Rome Diamond League. We salute her incredible efforts this year as a World Indoor Champion, world record holder and Olympic finalist. Wishing her a speedy recovery and looking forward to her return next season.”

Charlton’s impressive achievements this year have solidified her status as one of the top hurdlers in the world. Despite the setback, the Bahamian star remains determined to recover and return stronger in the 2025 season. Fans and supporters will be eagerly awaiting her comeback as she continues to make her mark on the global stage.

Trinidadian and West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran has etched his name in the history books by breaking Chris Gayle's long-standing record for the most sixes hit in a calendar year in T20 cricket. Pooran, known for his explosive batting, reached this milestone during the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) while playing for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Pooran’s record-breaking moment came when he struck the sixth of his nine sixes during a blistering 43-ball 97 against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, taking his tally to 139 sixes in 2024. This incredible achievement surpassed the previous record of 135 sixes set by Chris Gayle in 2015.

Pooran’s six-hitting spree in 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has hit 139 sixes off 1145 balls, averaging a six every 8.23 deliveries. While Gayle had a slightly better rate of 7.50 balls per six in 2015, Pooran's consistency over 57 innings—compared to Gayle’s 36—highlights the sustained nature of his power-hitting.

A deeper dive into Pooran's numbers reveals his dominance, especially against pace. Out of his 139 sixes, 92 came against fast bowlers, setting a new record for the most sixes against pace in a calendar year. This is significantly higher than Gayle’s 68 sixes against pacers in 2015. Pooran has averaged a six every 8.65 balls against seamers, while spinners have fared slightly worse, with Pooran sending one over the ropes every 7.43 deliveries.

Pooran has also excelled across different phases of the innings. He smashed 79 sixes during the middle overs (7th to 16th), breaking yet another record previously held by Gayle, who hit 71 sixes in that phase in 2012. Additionally, Pooran hit 32 sixes at the death, averaging a six every 6.22 balls, and 28 in the powerplay, at a rate of 8.14 balls per six.

The 2024 season saw Pooran distribute his sixes across multiple tournaments. He hit the most in the IPL, with 36 sixes, followed by 34 in T20 Internationals, 31 in the ILT20, and 19 in The Hundred. Pooran’s consistency across these formats and leagues underscores his status as one of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket.

Four bowlers were particularly tormented by Pooran’s power-hitting, with each conceding four sixes to him in 2024: Dominic Drakes, Nandre Burger, Rashid Khan, and Sikandar Raza.

With 551 sixes in T20 cricket, Pooran now stands as the fourth-highest six-hitter in the format, trailing only his fellow West Indians Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and Andre Russell. Pooran’s remarkable feat in 2024 not only solidifies his place among the game's greats but also further cements the Caribbean’s legacy in T20 cricket.

Attorneys representing Jamaican squash player Julian Morrison have filed a formal application requesting that Catherine Minto, Chair of the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, recuse herself from the ongoing hearing concerning an alleged anti-doping violation. The application, filed by Dr. Emir Crowne, Mr. Matthew Gayle, and Mr. Sayeed Bernard, on Monday, September 2, argues that Minto’s prior extensive working relationship with Kings Counsel Ian Wilkinson, who is representing the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in the matter, presents a potential conflict of interest.

The legal team’s concerns are rooted in the principle of impartiality, as outlined in WADA’s International Standard for Results Management. This standard mandates that members of hearing panels must be free from any actual or potential conflicts of interest to ensure a fair and unbiased adjudication process.

According to the standard, “Upon appointment to a hearing panel, each hearing panel member shall sign a declaration that there are no facts or circumstances known to him/her which might call into question their impartiality in the eyes of any of the parties, other than any circumstances disclosed in the declaration…”

Morrison's legal team discovered on August 30, 2024, that Minto had previously served as co-counsel with Wilkinson in several cases, some of which spanned nearly a decade and culminated in an appeal to the Privy Council. Despite the significant duration and nature of this professional relationship, it was not disclosed to Morrison or his representatives at the outset of the hearing. They argue that this omission compromises the perceived impartiality of the Chair and raises questions about the fairness of the proceedings.

Matthew Gayle, one of Morrison’s attorneys, emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “Given that the panel has considered the issue of recusal, substantively for a significant period of time, this ought to have been a matter that was disclosed to the parties so the athlete has no way of knowing but for information in the public domain. This should have been disclosed by the Chair herself and to the parties and give the athlete an opportunity to consider whether or not he wants to raise an objection, and in the circumstances where no disclosure has taken place it does raise a very serious question as to why,” he told Sportsmax.TV.

The application highlights multiple cases, including ones from 2014, 2016, and 2020, where Minto and Wilkinson worked closely together. Morrison’s legal team contends that this omission violates the ethical guidelines that require transparency and impartiality from those presiding over such hearings.

In April, Morrison was provisionally suspended by JADCO after testing positive for trace amounts of the banned anabolic agent Boldenone. Since then, he has been eagerly awaiting the chance to clear his name. His legal team has argued that Morrison unknowingly ingested the substance and is determined to prove his innocence.

The attorneys have requested that Minto either voluntarily recuse herself and be replaced by an alternate who has no recent or extensive professional ties to JADCO's counsel, or that the application for her recusal be decided by other members of the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel who are free from similar conflicts.

Morrison’s legal team stressed that this application was not made lightly, acknowledging that it could delay the proceedings. However, they assert that the integrity of the hearing and the athlete’s right to a fair trial must take precedence.

The outcome of this recusal application could significantly impact the course of the hearing, as both parties await a decision that will determine the next steps in this high-stakes case. Morrison remains resolute in his fight to prove his innocence and is hopeful that he will be granted a fair opportunity to do so.

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz have made a crucial adjustment to their squad for the September window of the CONCACAF Nations League, calling up Jamal Lowe to replace the injured Leon Bailey. Bailey sustained an injury during Aston Villa's 2-1 victory over Leicester City in the English Premier League on Saturday, forcing him to withdraw from the national team.

Lowe, known for his versatility and attacking prowess, has been drafted in to fill the void left by Bailey. Lowe, who plays for Swansea City in the English Championship, will join the squad as they prepare for their opening match against Cuba at the National Stadium on September 6. This match is critical for the Reggae Boyz as they aim to start their campaign on a strong note.

The Reggae Boyz coaching staff expressed their disappointment at Bailey's injury but extended their best wishes for his recovery. "We wish Leon a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in action soon," a team spokesperson said. 

Following the match against Cuba, Jamaica will continue their CONCACAF Nations League journey with another important fixture against Honduras. These matches will be vital for Jamaica as they look to advance in the competition and strengthen their position on the international stage.

Jamaica's Yanique Thompson delivered a standout performance at the ISTAF Berlin Meeting in Germany on Sunday, claiming victory in the women's 100m hurdles with an impressive time of 12.73 seconds. Thompson led a Jamaican 1-2 finish, as compatriot Britany Anderson secured second place with a time of 12.89 seconds. The pair dominated the race, leaving Germany's Marlene Meier, who clocked a personal best of 12.93 seconds, to settle for third.

Thompson's victory is a significant achievement as she continues to build momentum in her hurdling career, reaffirming Jamaica's strength in the sprint hurdles on the international stage.

In the men's 110m hurdles, Jamaica's Omar McLeod followed up his third-place finish at the Diamond League Meeting in Rome on Friday with another third-place finish in Berlin. McLeod, the 2016 Olympic champion, crossed the line in 13.28 seconds, behind American Grant Holloway, who won in 13.14 seconds, and France's Rachid Muratake, who clocked 13.21 seconds.

Additionally, Shafiqua Maloney set a new lifetime best and national record in the rarely run women's 600m, finishing second in a fiercely competitive race. Maloney's time of 1:22.98 shattered her previous personal best and established a new benchmark for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Kenya's Mary Moraa took the win in 1:21.63, while Germany's Alica Schmidt completed the podium in third with a time of 1:24.88.

The ISTAF Berlin Meeting once again proved to be a successful outing for Jamaican athletes, showcasing their talent and determination on the international stage.

 Jamaica's Kerrica Hill cemented her status as one of the brightest young talents in track and field by successfully defending her 100m hurdles title at the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, on Friday. Hill, who first claimed the title in Cali, Colombia, two years ago, delivered a dominant performance, winning in 12.99 seconds.

Hill's victory was never in doubt as she took control of the race from the start, leading the field decisively. Her winning time of 12.99 seconds secured her second consecutive World U20 title and further established her as a rising star in the sport.

Mia Wild of Croatia claimed the silver medal, finishing in 13.15 seconds, while Australia's Delta Amidzosvki took the bronze with a time of 13.24 seconds.

Hill's triumph adds to Jamaica's growing medal tally at the World U20 Championships. Earlier in the week, Alana Reid secured gold in the 100m final, leading a Caribbean sweep of the medals. Reid's victory was followed by Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands, who took silver, and Kishawna Niles of Barbados, who claimed the bronze.

With Hill's win, Jamaica has now captured two gold medals at the championships, continuing the country's tradition of excellence in sprinting and hurdling on the global stage. As the World U20 Championships continue, Jamaica's young athletes are poised to add to their medal count, showcasing the depth of talent in the Caribbean region.

Jamaica's Ackera Nugent continued her stellar form at the Rome Diamond League meeting on Friday, setting a new world-leading time and leading a strong showing by Caribbean athletes who secured multiple podium finishes.

Nugent, who had already made headlines with a meet record of 12.29 in Silesia, Poland last week, delivered another masterclass in the 100m hurdles, clocking an impressive 12.24 seconds. Her time not only eclipsed the previous meet record of 12.37 set by Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in June 2022 but also improved her own national record of 12.28, set earlier this year at the Jamaica National Championships. Nugent's performance was even more remarkable, given the negative wind of -0.4m/s during the race.

Nugent, who reached the finals of the Paris Olympics but was unable to complete the race, showcased her resilience and exceptional form with this victory. Despite the significance of defeating American Masai Russell, who won in Paris and finished second in Rome with a time of 12.31, Nugent emphasized that her win was not about revenge but about capitalizing on her current shape.

"This victory is not like revenge for the Olympics for me. I am just in really good shape. I was injured before, and this is a new experience for me. I am still so young. I still got to show up," Nugent remarked. "My emotions? I guess they have not kicked in yet because I am still so full of adrenaline. I cannot tell you. Yeah, I kind of expected to win here. I really enjoyed this race."

Nadine Visser of the Netherlands rounded out the podium, finishing third in 12.52.

Frenchman Sasha Zhoya won the 110m hurdles in 13.18 ahead of Spain’s Azier Martinez, who just edged Jamaica’s Omar McLeod for second place. Martinez finished in 13.27 to McLeod’s 13.28.

In other events, Jamaica's Romaine Beckford achieved a new lifetime best in the men's high jump, clearing 2.30m to secure second place. The victory went to Sanghyeok Woo, who also cleared 2.30m but claimed the win with a cleaner record.

The men’s 400m saw an intense battle, with Muzala Samukonga of Zimbabwe emerging victorious in 43.99 seconds. Grenada's Kirani James and Trinidad and Tobago's Jereem Richards claimed the remaining podium spots, finishing in 44.30 and 44.55 seconds, respectively.

In the men's discus, Olympic champion Roje Stona of Jamaica had to settle for second place with a throw of 67.85m, as Slovenia’s Kristjan Čeh secured the win with a massive effort of 68.61m. World record holder Mykolas Alekna finished third with a throw of 67.68m. Stona, competing in his first Diamond League meet, expressed mixed emotions after the event.

"This is my first time in Rome, my first time at a Diamond League. I got beaten at the last attempt, but these things happen in sport," Stona reflected. "I had my opportunities. But, yes, I am a bit disappointed. The result is still good. But I am never really satisfied."

Shian Salmon delivered a brave performance in the women’s 400m hurdles, finishing second behind American Olympic silver medalist Anna Cockrell, who won in a commanding 52.59 seconds. Salmon clocked 53.20 seconds, while Shamier Little of the United States was third in 54.15 seconds. Jamaica's Janieve Russell finished fourth, and Andrenette Knight, who led early in the race, faded to fifth.

In an impressive piece of sprinting to close out the meet, Olympic 200m champion, Letsile Tebogo provided a glimpse of the future with a fantastic run to win the 100m final, easing past Americans Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley, to win in 9.87 shutting down. Coleman was second in 9.92 with Kerley close behind in third in 9.95.
Jamaica's Ackeem Blake was fourth in 10.03.