JAAA Makes Last-Ditch Schedule Changes for Olympic Qualification
Kingston, Jamaica - The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) is pulling out all the stops to give the men’s 4x400m relay team one last shot at Olympic qualification. In a strategic move, the JAAA has announced adjustments to the National Junior and Senior Championships schedule, set for June 27-30 at the National Stadium.
A virtual meeting of stakeholders held on Friday, June 21, led to the decision to run two rounds of the 4x400m relay on the opening day of the championships. The first round and semi-finals will take place on Thursday, with the final slated for Friday. Additionally, the top 16 ranked runners will earn a bye through to the semi-finals.
The climactic 4x400m relay final will be the closing event on Sunday, June 30, which is also the deadline for Olympic qualification. Jamaica’s relay team needs to clock faster than 2:59.12 seconds to secure their spot in the top 16 teams heading to Paris.
Sha’Carri Richardson Overcomes Rocky Start to Dominate Heat
Eugene, Oregon - Sha’Carri Richardson’s journey to her first Olympic Games is off to a blazing start, despite a rocky beginning in her heat. On Friday evening, Richardson showcased her resilience and speed in the opening round of the women’s 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials.
Clocking an impressive 10.88 seconds, Richardson finished first in her heat and advanced to the semifinals. Her performance was notable not just for the time but for overcoming an early stumble and a loose shoelace. "Definitely didn’t have the start that I’ve been training to have in this moment. But still, not panicking, staying patient and knowing that no matter what’s going on, to continue to run my race," Richardson said in a post-race interview with NBC.
With the semifinals and final scheduled for Saturday, all eyes will be on Richardson as she aims to secure her place in the Olympics.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: A Legacy of Excellence and Future Aspirations
Kingston, Jamaica - As the National Trials approach, sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is laser-focused on her goals. At 37 years old, Fraser-Pryce has made it clear that her aim is to make the Jamaican team and then aim for the podium in Paris. She recently shared on social media: "After 4 Olympic Games, it’s not Rocket Science… My goal is simply to make the team then aim for the podium. One week to National Trials."
Fraser-Pryce’s illustrious career spans over a decade and a half, making her one of the most enduring and successful track athletes in history. Known as the "Pocket Rocket" for her petite stature and explosive starts, she is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a five-time world champion in the 100 meters. Her personal best of 10.60 seconds makes her the third fastest woman ever.
Fraser-Pryce’s consistent excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year in 2023. As she prepares for her fifth Olympic Games, Fraser-Pryce’s legacy continues to inspire and uplift the world of track and field.
Reggae Boyz Ready to Battle Mexico in Copa America Opener
Houston, Texas - The Reggae Boyz are set to kick off their 2024 Copa America campaign tonight, facing off against Mexico at the NRG Stadium. Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and midfielder Kasey Palmer emphasize that near-perfect execution will be crucial to overcome their formidable opponents.
Competing in the Copa America for the third time, Jamaica faces a Mexican team with a strong history in the tournament. Mexico has reached the finals twice and made it out of the group stage in eight of their ten appearances. Jamaica, however, has yet to secure a win in their previous two outings, finishing at the bottom of their group each time.
Despite Mexico’s recent losses to Brazil and Uruguay, Hallgrimsson remains cautious. "Mexico will always be Mexico, it’s the same style of play no matter who’s playing... We need to be perfect tactically if we want to win against Mexico tomorrow," he stated.
Palmer, embracing the underdog role, expressed confidence in his team’s abilities. "For us, it’s no problem who the media takes as favorite... We’re here, we’re confident, we fancy our chances to get out the group and we’ll see what happens on the day."
The Reggae Boyz are determined to defy expectations and make their mark in the tournament, starting with tonight’s crucial match against Mexico.
#trackandfield #shellyannfraserpryce #shacarririchardson #4by400relayteam #jamaica
21 июн 2024
