KINGSTON, Jamaica — With simply weeks to go earlier than the 2024 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Senior Monitor and Area Championships, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Affiliation (JAAA) has introduced a formidable 47-member squad to compete in Freeport, Bahamas, from August 15–17.
But amid the thrill and excessive expectations, uncertainty surrounds one of the crucial eagerly anticipated comebacks of the season.
Dynamic sprinter Tia Clayton, who was named to contest the 100 meters and take part within the 4x100m relay, has reportedly withdrawn from the workforce. Whereas the JAAA has not issued an official assertion, a dependable supply near the federation has confirmed her elimination from the squad, casting recent doubt on her health following a hamstring harm sustained within the nationwide 100m remaining on June 27.
Tia Clayton: From return to retreat
Clayton, nonetheless solely 20, was poised to make a extremely anticipated return after pulling up mid-race through the nationwide championships remaining. Regardless of the harm, she had entered the occasion because the quickest qualifier, clocking a private better of 10.86 seconds within the semi-final—cementing her standing as a rising power in international sprinting.
Her inclusion within the NACAC workforce was seen as a daring present of confidence in her restoration. Nevertheless, if the unconfirmed report is correct, followers and selectors alike can be compelled to attend a little bit longer to see the younger star in full flight.
“She was initially listed to run the 100 meters and participate within the 4x100m relay,” the supply revealed. “However based mostly on present developments, she has been pulled from the roster. The explanations stay unclear.”
Clayton’s withdrawal—although not but formally confirmed—could be a big blow to Jamaica’s dash line-up. Her absence opens the door for others, like Jodean Williams, to steer the cost within the particular person 100m.
Velocity, energy, and depth: Jamaica sends balanced contingent
Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding Clayton, the remainder of the Jamaican squad stays stacked with each seasoned veterans and ascendant stars, all trying to cement qualifying requirements for upcoming international meets.
Among the many feminine athletes, the focus will now shift to Ashanti Moore, who will contest the 200m after profitable the occasion on the Nationwide Championships. Moore can be joined by Gabrielle Matthews, whereas Kelly-Ann Beckford leads the 800m cost.
Within the subject, Shanieka Ricketts, a seven-time nationwide champion, headlines the ladies’s line-up within the triple leap. She can be supported by Samantha Corridor (discus), Nayoka Clunis (hammer throw), and Lloydricia Cameron (shot put).
The ladies’s 4x400m relay squad, which didn’t qualify earlier this season at each the World Relays and Barbados Grand Prix, will mount one other critical try in Freeport. Nationwide champion Nickisha Pryce leads a well-rounded unit that features Leah Anderson, Roneisha McGregor, Stacy-Ann Williams, Shaquena Foote, and Dejanea Oakley.
McDonald, Taylor amongst key males’s contenders
On the lads’s facet, Rusheen McDonald, the nationwide file holder and newly topped 400m champion, can be joined by Delano Kennedy in pursuit of the World Championships normal (44.85secs).
Within the sprints, Christopher Taylor and Adrian Kerr will compete within the 200m, whereas Ryiem Forde and Rohan Watson spearhead the 100m problem. Jamaica may also search redemption within the males’s 4x100m relay, having come up quick on the Barbados Grand Prix. That workforce will embody Kadrian Goldson, Bouwahjuie Nkrumie, Taylor, Kerr, Forde, and Watson.
Area occasions characteristic a powerful forged, together with Jordan Scott (triple leap), Carey McLeod (lengthy leap), Fedrick Dacres and Chad Wright (discus), and Romaine Beckford and Raymond Richards (excessive leap).
Teaching and help workers
The squad can be led by Workforce Chief Julette Parkes, supported by Assistant Supervisor Claude Doyley and Technical Chief Maurice Wilson. The teaching panel consists of Paul Francis, Gregory Little, and Marlon Gayle, with Workforce Physician Paul Auden and Therapeutic massage Therapist Oral Thompson additionally touring with the delegation.
Past regional supremacy, the NACAC Championships function a essential alternative for athletes to satisfy qualification requirements for the 2025 World Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympics. With the window narrowing, Freeport represents one of many remaining testing grounds.
Whereas the potential lack of Tia Clayton is a serious headline, Jamaica’s roster nonetheless possesses the depth and expertise to problem for high honors and hit key qualifying marks.
Record of athletes chosen: WOMEN (21 athletes)
Sprints – 100m: Tia Clayton (reportedly withdrawn), Jodean Williams
200m: Ashanti Moore, Gabrielle Matthews
400m: Dejanea Oakley, Stacy-Ann Williams
800m: Kelly-Ann Beckford
Hurdles – 100m Hurdles: Amoi Brown, Kerrica Hill
400m Hurdles: Janieve Russell, Sanique Walker
Area Occasions – Lengthy Leap: Nia Robinson
Discus: Samantha Corridor
Shot Put: Lloydricia Cameron
Hammer Throw: Nayoka Clunis
Triple Leap: Shanieka Ricketts
Relays – 4x100m Relay Pool: Tia Clayton (reportedly withdrawn), Jodean Williams, Ashanti Moore, Jonelle Smith, Gabrielle Matthews
4x400m Relay Pool: Nickisha Pryce, Dejanea Oakley, Stacy-Ann Williams, Leah Anderson, Shaquena Foote, Roneisha McGregor
MEN (26 athletes)
Sprints – 100m: Ryiem Forde, Rohan Watson
200m: Christopher Taylor, Adrian Kerr
400m: Rusheen McDonald, Delano Kennedy
800m: Navasky Anderson, Tyrese Taylor
Hurdles – 110m Hurdles: Demario Prince, Tyler Mason
400m Hurdles: Assinie Wilson, Malik James-King
Area Occasions – Lengthy Leap: Carey McLeod, Shawn D. Thompson
Excessive Leap: Raymond Richards, Romaine Beckford
Discus: Fedrick Dacres, Chad Wright
Triple Leap: Jordan Scott
Javelin: Ellvis Graham
Relays – 4x100m Relay Pool: Kadrian Goldson, Ryiem Forde, Rohan Watson, Christopher Taylor, Adrian Kerr, Bouwahjgie Nkrumie
4x400m Relay Pool: Rusheen McDonald, Zandrion Barnes, Shamer Uter, Delano Kennedy, Deandre Watkins, Novel McPherson
