Lucky dozen for Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Twelve athletes who were ranked high enough to be included in the quotas in their individual events at the World Athletics Championships, were named in the Jamaican team released on Friday by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
Athletes are required to achieve a certain mark, that is time, distance or height to qualify for their individual events but if enough athletes have not met the standards, the organisers ‘invite’ the remaining athletes depending on their marks and with a maximum of three per country.
For example, 32 athletes are invited for each field event and 48 for some track events to constitute a ‘full field’ and Jamaica will benefit with a number of athletes filling the slots.
National women’s 800m champion Chrisann Gordon-Powell and Adelle Tracey who were just cleared to compete for Jamaica after transferring from Great Britain will join Natoya Goule in the 800m.
Kimberly Williamson makes her second trip to the World Championships in the high jump while Chanice Porter qualifies in the long jump and Ackelia Smith who won the long jump at the national championships, joins Shanieka Ricketts in the triple jump.
Olympian Lloydricia Cameron will contest the shot put and Samantha Hall will take part in the discus throw.
On the men’s side, Akeem Bloomfield takes the place of 200m winner Andrew Hudson who has not been cleared to compete for Jamaica until July 28th , Nathon Allen joins Christopher Taylor and Jevaughn Powell in the 400m.
Wayne Pinnock will contest the long jump, Jordan Scott in the triple jump while Fedrick Dacres who missed the national trials with injury and Olympic finalist Chad Wright will accompany Travis Smikle in the men’s discus throw.
– Paul Reid