Three of Jamaica’s six individual Olympic medalists from Tokyo 2020 – sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Hansle Parchment – are among the 57 track and field athletes announced for the Paris Olympics, which begins later this month.
Fraser-Pryce and Jackson, who finished behind Elaine Thompson-Herah in the women’s 100m in Tokyo, repeating a clean sweep only the Caribbean Island nation has accomplished in Olympic history, will join 19-year-old Tia Clayton in the short sprint.
Jackson, who won the 100m bronze in Tokyo, will be targeting her first individual Olympic gold in both the 100m and the 200m.
Fraser-Pryce, who in Tokyo became the first 100m sprinter to win individual medals in four consecutive Olympic Games, will compete in her last Olympics. She aims to add to the eight Olympic medals she has already won in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relays.
Thompson-Herah, who defended her 2016 gold medal in Tokyo with an Olympic record and then personal best of 10.61 seconds, did not compete at the Jamaica Olympic trials due to an Achilles injury sustained at the NYC Grand Prix in early June.
Parchment, who won a surprise gold medal in the men’s 110m hurdles final in Tokyo, will contest that event alongside teammates Orlando Bennett and Rasheed Broadbell.
Several athletes will be making their Olympic debut, including triple jump sensation Jaydon Hibbert, Tia Clayton, Ackera Nugent, Bryan Levell, and the fastest man in the men’s 100m this year, Kishane Thompson.
The 22-year-old Thompson enters Paris with a personal best of 9.77 seconds, achieved in winning the men’s 100m at the Jamaica Olympic trials on June 29, making him the joint-ninth fastest man in history. The 9.77 time also makes him the fourth fastest Jamaican in history, behind Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, and Asafa Powell. Oblique Seville, fourth in Tokyo in the 100m, and Ackeem Blake will join Thompson in the men’s 100m.
The trio will aim to reclaim the Olympic title last won by the fastest man alive, Bolt, at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The track and field events at the Paris Olympics will take place from Thursday, August 1, to Sunday, August 11.
Jamaica’s track and team for Paris
WOMEN
100m: Tia Clayton, Shericka Jackson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce200m: Niesha Burgher, Shericka Jackson, Lanae- Tava Thomas400m: Junelle Bromfield, Stacey Ann Williams, Nickisha Pryce800m: Natoya Goule- Toppin, Adelle Tracey1500m: Adelle Tracey100m hurdles: Janeek Brown, Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams400m hurdles: Rushell Clayton, Shiann Salmon, Janieve RussellLong jump: Chanice Porter, Ackelia SmithHigh jump: Lamara DistinTriple jump: Shanieka Ricketts, Ackelia Smith, Kimberly WilliamsDiscus: Samantha HallShot put: Lloydricia Cameron, Danniel Thomas- DoddHammer: Nayoka Clunis4x100m: Tia Clayton, Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson4x400m: Junelle Bromfield, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Nickisha Pryce, Stacey Ann Williams
MEN
100m: Ackeem Blake, Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville200m: Andrew Hudson, Bryan Levell400m: Sean Bailey, Deandre Watkin, Jevaughn Powell800m: Navasky Anderson110m hurdles: Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, Hansle Parchment400m hurdles: Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, Malik James-KingLong jump: Tajay Gayle, Carey McLeod, Wayne PinnockHigh jump: Romaine BeckfordTriple jump: Jaydon Hibbert, Jordan ScottDiscus: Roje Stona, Ralford Mullings, Traves Smikle4x100m: Ackeem Blake, Jehlani Gordon, Oblique Seville, Kishane Thompson
