Members of the Paris Olympic Team (clockwise from top left): Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Oblique Sevilla, Sherica Jackson, Kishane Thompson, Rachelle Clayton and Jaedon Hibbert.
The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has named a 66-member team that will represent Jamaica at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 12.
Jamaica will compete in 17 events including the men’s and women’s 100m, men’s and women’s 200m, men’s and women’s 400m, men’s and women’s 800m, women’s 1500m, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 110m hurdles, men’s and women’s 400m hurdles, men’s and women’s long jump, men’s and women’s high jump, men’s and women’s triple jump, men’s and women’s discus, men’s and women’s shot put, women’s hammer throw, men’s and women’s 4×100 relay, women’s 4×400 relay and 4×400 mixed relay.
The country will miss out on the men’s 4x400m relay at the Olympics for just the second time since 1948 after failing to qualify despite several attempts, including a special relay event, at recent national trials.
Legendary Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and 10-time world champion, is among the 32 women selected for the team. Fraser-Pryce has said she will retire after this, her fifth Olympic Games.
Reigning 200m world champion Sherica Jackson, who has the second-fastest time ever in the event at 21.41 seconds, will be competing in her third Olympic Games, while her MVP Track Club teammate Tia Clayton will be making her Olympic debut.
Other women on the team include 400m national record holder Nikkiisha Price, 100m hurdles world champion Danielle Williams, two-time world championship silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts, veteran 800m runner NaToya Gall-Toppin and two-time world championship bronze medalist Rachelle Clayton. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Heller is unavailable due to injury.
Meanwhile, Kishane Thompson, the fourth fastest Jamaican runner of all time and the fastest this year with a personal best of 9.77 seconds, is also among the 34 runners named on the team.
The 34-man team includes Oblique Sevilla, who placed fourth in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics, world indoor bronze medallist Akeem Blake, current 110m hurdles Olympic champion Hansl Parchment, world silver medallist Wayne Pinnock and triple jump sensation Jadon Hibbert. World 40m champion Antonio Watson will not be competing in the Olympics due to injury.
