TODAY’S women’s 400m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships will for the first time feature three athletes from Jamaica, and for one trailblazing Jamaican the historic feat has brought an immense sense of pride even as she anticipates Jamaican success inside the National Athletics Centre.

Commonwealth champion Janieve Russell, World Championships debutant Andrenette Knight, and 2019 World Championships bronze medallist Rushell Clayton have all looked impressive in booking their lanes in a final that seems heavily scripted to set the stage for Dutchwoman Femke Bol’s first global gold medal.

Jamaican legend Deon Hemmings ignited a Jamaican love affair with the one-lap hurdles event when she became the first woman from the island to win Olympic gold at the 1996 games in Atlanta.

Her success birthed the rise of standout figures such as Olympic and world champion Melaine Walker, Olympic bronze medallist Kaliese Spencer, World Championships bronze medal winner Ristananna Tracey, and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Debbie-Ann Parris.

Today, Hemmings is looking forward to more Jamaican success in the Hungarian city, and believes that despite a talented field which also includes American Shamier Little, there are two podium spots up for grabs.

“I am very proud of them. I realised from the National Trials that they were going to do exceptionally well here because of their aggressiveness. I have seen something in Janieve Russell — she is much more aggressive going into the hurdles. Rushell has proved herself; in the semi-final she ran a personal best. And Andrenette Knight has something to prove after not making the team after falling in the final at ‘Trials’ last year,” Hemmings told the Jamaica Observer.

Hemmings is also particularly pleased with the continuing impact of success in the event at this level and believes the trio will inspire top Jamaican performances for years to come.

“I know what it takes to get there, and I know these ladies have worked hard and I know they will do well tomorrow. I feel really good to know that I am one of the trailblazers who set the pace for these young ladies, and while I will not make a prediction on who is going to medal, we will get at least one; if everything goes well we can get two medals,” she opined.

Clayton enters the final, which gets underway at 2:50 pm today, with the third-fastest time from the semi-finals after clocking a personal-best 53.30 seconds. This ranks her behind Little who also posted a lifetime best, 52.81, and Bol who advanced with a time of 52.95.

Russell clocked 53.69 in finishing third in her semi-final while Knight ran 53.72 en route to a second-place finish in her semi-final.

“Janieve shuffled two hurdles yesterday and that is why she didn’t run much faster, but if she gets the perfect race I know she will do well and I know the other two will also do well. As I said, Andrenette has something to prove and Rushell has been there — she has a medal at the World Championships so she knows what it takes,” Hemmings said.

“I would say that Bol will win; she has something to prove because of what happened in the 4x400m mixed relay. Second and third places — I know we have the American [Little], but she has been inconsistent so there are two medals up for grabs and I am looking forward to my Jamaican ladies fighting for those because they have been doing so well. I know they are hungry to succeed and I know that if everything goes well we will have two medals,” she added.

Hemmings encouraged the trio to stay confident, trust in their preparation, and give it their all in today’s finale.

“My message to them is that they should tell themselves that they have been training all year and this is the moment. Focus on yourself and go out there and execute and give it 110 per cent. You will feel like you are going to die at the line but when you are done you will know you gave it their best. Be very positive, stay focused, and go out there and execute,” Hemmings encouraged.

Bol is the second-fastest woman in history in the event, with a personal best of 51.45 which she registered last month in London.