Kineke Alexander
In its first information session, the NACAC Athletes Commission earlier this month, reaffirmed its commitment to becoming particularly active, increasing its visibility and working with all its athletes to address their issues and concerns.
The group will strive to make the NACAC Athletes Commission the best in World Athletics.
The Information Session was chaired by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ three-time Olympian, Kineke Alexander.
"I value my role on the NACAC Athletes commission as being a direct link between the athletes and the NACAC Council. We’ve moved from a commission that has been hiding in the shadows to now having hosted our first information session. It is important that throughout my role I work with my commission members so that the athletes in the NACAC region can be heard,” said Kineke Alexander, the 2015 Pan American Games 400m bronze medalist.
“As a member of the NACAC Council I plan on bringing the issues that matter most in our region. As stated in our information session, an important issue is having a viable competition circuit in the NACAC region. We plan on working with the NACAC Council who has been very open to this idea to make this happen for our athletes.”
The WA and NACAC Athletes Commission gave commitments to working together for the development and sustainability of the Commission.
World and Olympic champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM), moderated part of the information session that featured Brett Clothier, Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), who readily responded to questions posed by participants.
“We brought together dedicated athletes of our Area who understand the importance and function of the Commission and believe that athletes need to know they have a voice within athletics in our region and beyond. This is an athlete-centred group, and we represent all athletes. Athletes should know they have a place to voice their concerns” said Commission and NACAC Council member, 2008 Olympic 200m finalist Cydonie Mothersill (CAY).
“We want to engage NACAC athletes, without exception, in meaningful dialogue on issues important to them as they play their part in building our sport. COVID-19 has taken a lot away from us in terms of competition, but it has also allowed us to reach more athletes on platforms like Zoom. Moving forward we will be hosting sessions on development, the athletes’ pathway, the new WADA code, and mentorship programs - issues we believe athletes want more information on.
“Having athletes in our discussions and fully engaged in the decision-making process are very important. They feel fully integrated with our sport when they know that their views matter.”
The information session also highlighted the importance of the biennial NACAC Senior Championship, a viable undertaking with the Area’s best athletes in attendance. Consideration was also given to working with the NACAC leadership to create an impressive annual Area Circuit.
Led by Kineke Alexander and Odayne Richards (JAM) as Chair and Deputy Chair, the NACAC Athletes’ Commission is also composed of Michael Frater (JAM), Jeff Porter (USA), Lacee Barnes (CAY) Allan Gala Acevedo (GUA) and Nathan Alexander (ESA), Brian Wellman (BER). As Commission chair, Alexander sits on the NACAC Council.
Four NACAC athletes are members of World Athletics’ Athletes Commission: Kim Collins (SKN), Iñaki Gomez (CAN), Bernard Lagat (USA) and Aisha Praught-Leer (JAM)
With Bolt's times on his mind, Noah Lyles eyes Yohan Blake's 100m stadium record at Racer’s Grand Prix on Saturday
Triple World Champion Noah Lyles has his sights set on Yohan Blake's stadium record of 9.75 seconds, set in 2012, as he prepares to compete in the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday night. Lyles, who wakes up every day with Usain Bolt's world records of 9.58 for the 100m and 19.19 for the 200m on his mind, believes he is getting closer to breaking both records each year.
Speaking at a Racers Grand Prix press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus on Friday, Lyles shared his thoughts on his progress and ambitions.
"Every day, it's (Bolt's records) in the back of my mind. Every day I train as if I'm getting closer and closer because every year I get closer and closer," Lyles said. "Especially this year, we've made a lot of headway in our 100m training, and I'm very eager to show everybody how much headway we've made on Saturday because it's been consistent."
Lyles highlighted the progress he has seen in his training, emphasizing that his improvements are not just occasional but have been consistently evident.
"You know, it's one thing when you get it once or twice in practice, but we've been seeing it happen week after week, run after run, and I believe that the 150m proved that we've been making progress on both ends, on the 200 side and on the 100 side," he said in reference to the American record to the 14.41 he ran at the Adidas Atlanta City Games a week ago.
"And, of course, the world record is always going to be in the back of my mind, but Olympic golds are Olympic golds, and nobody can take those away from you."
While Lyles acknowledges that the 200m world record might be easier to achieve, he remains determined to excel in both events.
"Definitely the 200m is going to be easier. I have a firm, firm chokehold on the 200m right now, and I'd say I'm kind of just letting everybody play their cards for now," he said. "I'm very excited. Tomorrow is gonna be a magical day."
When asked about Blake's stadium record, Lyles responded with enthusiasm and determination. "75? Let's go after that!" he exclaimed.
Lyles' confidence and determination set the stage for an exciting race on Saturday night, as he aims to make history at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Bahamian CARIFTA javelin champions Dior-Rae Scott and Taysha Stubbs commit to University of Nebraska
Two of the top young Bahamian javelin throw prospects, Dior-Rae Scott and Taysha Stubbs, have committed to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Scott and Stubbs, both 16, are two of the premier female javelin throwers in the region and globally as well.
They both won gold medals at the 51st CARIFTA Games in St. George’s, Grenada, in April this year.
Scott threw a personal best and new CARIFTA record 52.53m to win gold in the Under-17 section while Stubbs threw 50.94m to win the Under-20 section.
Those marks are among some of the best in the world for the age-group.
Scott is tied for fourth on World Athletics’ Top Performance List for under-18 girls in the 500-gram javelin event, and Stubbs is sixth in that same division, but in the 600-gram javelin event.
They will both look to emulate the success of Nebraska standout Rhema Otabor, a Bahamian NCAA champion in the women’s javelin who will be looking to defend her title as a collegiate senior at this year’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The Nebraska senior is currently the NCAA leader in the event this season with 59.12m done at the Drake Relays on April 24.
She took silver at the 2023 Pan Am Games in Chile with a personal best 60.54m.
Clayton leads Jamaican sweep while Paulino and dos Santos dominate at Bislett Games Diamond League
The Bislett Games Diamond League meeting in Oslo delivered a night of thrilling performances and unexpected outcomes on Thursday. While Rushell Clayton and Marileidy Paulino emerged victorious in their respective events, two-time world champion Shericka Jackson had a disappointing finish in the 200m.
World leader Rushell Clayton continued her stellar season, winning the 400m hurdles in 54.02 seconds despite challenging weather conditions. Clayton, who has been dominant in the event, controlled the race from the start and pulled away decisively towards the end. Compatriot Andrenette Knight finished second with a season-best 54.63 after a strong challenge but faded after the final hurdle. Commonwealth Games champion Janieve Russell rounded out the Jamaican sweep, securing third place with a season-best 55.07.
Clayton, whose time of 53.72 is fastest in the world this year was happy with the win.
"I have never expected the conditions like that but nevertheless, it was a good race. My execution felt well and I cannot ask for more than to win. It is always good to win. Each race is a challenge and I am working towards a bigger goal," she said breathlessly afterward.
"So whenever these ladies decide to compete, I will be there to do the same, to compete. My next plans: to train, train, train... and I need to do the national championships. I am literally training through all these meets. I have training tomorrow, the next day, I do what my coach decides. It is hurting. My main goal - to get to the Olympics and to win a medal. My last and ultimate goal of the season."
The men's 400m hurdles race lived up to the hype, even with the late withdrawal of world-leading Rai Benjamin with a niggle. Brazilian star Alison dos Santos seized the opportunity, delivering a world-leading time of 46.63 to claim victory. Dos Santos put immense pressure on world record holder Karsten Warholm, who stumbled at the final hurdle, allowing the Brazilian to surge ahead. Warholm finished second in 46.70, the same time he clocked when he set the world record in 2021.
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Excited by how well he performed, the Brazilian confidently stated that there is even more to come from him this season.
"It felt good and I loved this track, the people and the energy. It is always good to come here, to come out and be able to win. It was a tough race but I wanted to show I am there, I am ready and in good shape and that I can go even faster," he remarked.
"I was excited about this race and now I am excited about the next one to see how much I can do. The conditions were like a bit wet but it is the same for everyone. I just had to keep the mindset that I wanted to win. And I am proud that I managed to win."
With the likes of Benjamin to join the battle later this summer, Dos Santos said he is anticipating incredible performances in Paris.
"It is going to be amazing in Paris 2024. I am so excited about the things I can do. Everything before Paris is just a preparation for that. So it is going to be like awesome. Only thing I can say is just: Watch!"
In the women's 400m, Marileidy Paulino showcased her class, winning in a season-best 49.30. Paulino led the race from start to finish, pulling away from Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek, who finished second with a season-best 49.80. The USA’s Alexis Holmes took third place in 50.40. Notably, Sada Williams of Barbados finished fifth in a season-best 50.71.
Paulino was pleased with her performance. "I felt good tonight. I thought the weather conditions would be unpleasant but it turned out nice. I am training hard in order to be able to do these times at the right time. I would like to improve the second part of my race."
Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith dominated the men's 400m, clocking an impressive 44.07, the second-fastest time in the world this year. Olympic champion Kirani James was a distant second in 44.58, followed closely by Vernon Norwood, who finished third in 44.68.
Shericka Jackson, who had been aiming to improve on her 22.82 performance in Rabat, struggled in the 200m, finishing fifth with a time of 22.97. The race was won by the USA’s Brittany Brown, who edged out Marie-Josée Ta Lou at the line with a time of 22.32. Ta Lou also set a season-best of 22.36, demonstrating her strong form this season. Daryll Neita finished third with her best time this season, clocking 22.50.
Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin delivered another sub-two-minute performance in the women's 800m, finishing second with her fastest time this season at 1:59.10. South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso won the race with a time of 1:58.66, while Catriona Bissett of Australia took third in 1:59.29.
The Bislett Games provided a mix of highs and lows for the athletes, with standout performances in the 400m and 400m hurdles capturing the attention of the nearly full house at Bislett Stadium. As the Diamond League continues, athletes like Clayton and Paulino will look to build on their successes, while Jackson aims to regroup and refocus ahead of the Paris Olympics.
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