The withdrawal of Sprint King Usain Bolt from the Jamaica National Senior Track and Field Championships, the primary Olympic trials for the powerhouse Caribbean island has not gone unnoticed by the top sprinters from perennial rivals the United States. When news broke of the six time Olympic Gold medalists withdrawal due to injury concerns and a medical exemption from the governing body Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) several of the top sprinters competing at the US Trials underway in Eugene, Oregon were asked to give their views on the latest Bolt development. “Its a tradition….It doesn’t surprise me. I know he is going to come back strong “, said Tyson Gay, subtly making reference to Bolt’s injury history. Justin Gatlin, Bolt’s main rival over the last few years jokingly told reporters that Trayvon Bromell, the 2015 World Championship Bronze medalist would answer all questions relating to Bolt. Gatlin who was twice beaten into second place by the Jamaican at the Beijing World championship last year was asked if he thought that Bolt would not be able to defend his titles in Rio said , ‘Come on man…it’s Usain…we are going to see his face in Rio”. Gatlin went […]
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The medical exemption ‘bug’ which has been one of the biggest talking points of the 2016 JAAA/Supreme Ventures Jamaica National Senior Track and Field Championships bit again. This time it was the defending champion Elaine Thompson who was forced to withdraw from the event with what MVP President Bruce James indicated was some discomfort in her leg. Thompson who on Friday night won the 100m in a world leading and national record equaling 10.70 was the big favourite to complete the sprint double. James further indicated that Thompson was examined by the medical team in charge of the meet and had applied for a medical exemption. The 2015 World Championship Silver medalist and 2nd fastest Jamaican in history is the number 4 ranked sprinter over the distance in 2016. While the JAAA Selection Policy speaks to a top 3 world ranking as it relates to the medical exemption, the Selection Criteria covers a ranking period that extends back to 2015. Thompson, by virtue of the 21.66 run in the finals of the 200m in Beijing would still be ranked at number 2 behind Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was also a no show […]
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In 2011 while comfortably in the lead in the U17 Boys 200m at the CARIFTA Games held at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, the then 15 year old Jevaughn Minzie displayed one of the most extreme cases of showboating ever seen at that level. With 50m to go, Minzie who appeared to have the race at his mercy, inexplicably turned his head and mockingly beckoned the 400m champion Machel Cedenio who was on his outside. That moment of madness would come back to haunt him within seconds as the far striding Cedenio gleefully grasped the opportunity with both hands to sweep past Minzie who totally lost momentum. The visibly stunned and shaken Minzie was rooted to the track before sauntering off. The Jamaican supporters at the venue had no qualms about venting their frustration at him. Various videos were posted about the young man’s slip, social media went into overdrive and he was the subject of much criticisms on various sports talk shows in the ensuing weeks. He was the butt of many a joke and one Youtube video of the race had the heading “USAIN BOLT WANNABE JEVAUGHN MINZIE EMBARRASSED HIMSELF SHOWBOATING IN 200m CARIFTA GAMES FINAL”. […]
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The trio of women’s Discus national record holder Kellion Knibb, Tara Sue Barnett and Shadae Lawrence have created a first in Jamaica’s already rich history of track and field. When the three don the famous black, green and gold at the Rio Olympics in just over a month, it will mark the first time that Jamaica will be represented by three ladies in a throwing event. Knibb, Barnett and Lawrence all attained the Olympic qualifying mark ahead of the JAAA/ Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships but had to cement their place on the team by grabbing the podium spots at the Jamaican Olympic Trials. Barnett who attends Grand Canyon University threw the Olympic qualifying standard on April 30 with a personal best of 61.28m. The 22 year old was not in that sort of form on Friday evening but bested a strong field to win the event with a mark of 59.03m. (Photo: Ross Obley/FSU Athletics) Lawrence, formerly of Hydel High School came into the trials on the back of a very good season for Kansas State University and a 4th place finish at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships where she threw a personal best […]
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Defending champion Annsert Whyte ran his fastest time in two years to hold off the challenge of the young turk Jaheel Hyde and retain his 400m hurdles title at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Track and Field Championships. Whyte, a semi-finalist at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing won his second consecutive national crown in 48.66, his fastest time since running a personal best 48.58 at the 2014 edition of the Jamaican ‘Trials’. Hyde, the 2014 World Junior champion stopped the clock at 48.86 to break his own national junior record of 49.01 set two years ago. The 29 year old Whyte has vaulted up the rankings to number two on the 2016 world list behind American Johnny Dutch who has the two fastest times including the world leading 48.10 set at the Racers Grand Prix on June 11. He went out hard, taking the race by the scruff of the neck as he opened up on his main rivals Roxroy Cato on his inside in lane 3 and an outpaced Hyde on the outside in lane 6. Whyte turned for home in the lead, repelling a sustained challenge from Cato and a charging Hyde […]
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In arguably one of the most scintillating displays of sprinting at Jamaica’s storied National Stadium, the irrepressible Elaine Thompson underlined her status as one of the favourites to win the 100m title at the Rio Olympics later on this summer. Thompson who had scorched the track with a frighteningly easy-looking 10.85 to win her semi-final, returned approximately two hours later to demolish a very strong field on her way to winning the 100m title in a national record equaling and world leading 10.70 (0.3 m/s). Left toiling in her wake were the two time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce with a satisfying 10.93 (SB) and Jamaica’s newest member of the sub 11 club, Christania Williams 10.97. Thompson who celebrated her 24th birthday on June 28 is now the joint 4th fastest woman (tied with Fraser-Pryce) over the distance behind Florence Griffiths Joyner, Carmelita Jeter and Marion Jones. Many time national champion Veronica Campbell-Brown in a race eerily reminiscent of the 2008 Olympic Trials, got off to a horrible start and despite a gallant attempt was unable to reel in the fast starting trio of Thompson, Fraser-Pryce and the exciting Williams. Campbell-Brown finished 4th in 11.10, just ahead of Simone […]
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Jamaican swimmer Timothy Wynter has attained the Rio 2016 Olympics ‘B’ standard in the 100M backstroke at Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships (CISC) in Nassau, Bahamas. Wynter also set a new Jamaica national record of 56.15 after taking silver in Men’s 100M Backstroke. Photo by Michael Lyn
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The track and field world received a jolt when just over an hour before the men’s 100m, news broke that two time defending Olympic Champion Usain Bolt had been pulled from the event for medical reasons. The world record holder had earlier won his semi-final in 10.04 ahead of Senoj Jay Givans (10.06) and surprise package Jevaughn Minzie (10.07). The 29 year old reportedly felt some discomfort in his hamstring after his first round of competition on the opening day and again after winning his semi-final heat. After a detailed examination by the head of the medical team at the championship, Bolt was diagnosed as having suffered a Grade 1 tear. Bolt, the undisputed face of athletics and one of the most recognizable icons in all sports was granted a medical exemption by the local governing body for track and field, the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA). *In a release on his twitter handle, the six time Olympic gold medalist assured his legions of supporters worldwide that he ‘will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio’.* Statement from Usain Bolt […]
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