Jamaica track and field star, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, does not anticipate that age will be a barrier to achieving success when the 2021 Olympics finally rolls around.
At 34, Fraser-Pryce will be one of the oldest women lined up to face the starter's gun, should the event eventually be staged in Tokyo later this year. The 32nd Olympiad was initially slated to be staged last summer but was postponed due to the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The postponement of the quadrennial event has meant another year of training and preparation for some legendary athletes facing another race, the one against time. The situation will not be an entirely new one for nine-time World champion and two-time Olympic champion Fraser-Pryce. In 2019, at the age of 32, she became the oldest female sprinter to win a 100m world title. In that event, by comparison, silver medalist, Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was nine years her junior. Showing herself to be very much at the top of her game in 2020, however, despite the havoc the global pandemic wrought on the international schedule, Fraser-Pryce is clearly in the mood to defy the odds yet again.
“Yes, I’m 33, but if I can come back from having my son and be able to stand on the podium, my age is not going to stop me. I’m still going to work hard. I’m still going to be committed and I’m grateful for the years of experience I’ve had,” Fraser-Pryce told the BBC.
"I'm probably older than most of the women in the race but so what? I'm just focusing on getting the job done and being happy."
Tickets for Grand Slam Track™ go on sale today
Tickets for the highly anticipated Grand Slam Track™, the revolutionary global stage for elite track and field competition, go on sale today, December 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern. Founded by four-time U.S. Olympic champion Michael Johnson, who also serves as the league's commissioner, the event promises to redefine the sport with its inaugural season kicking off in Kingston, Jamaica, in April 2025.
Johnson expressed his excitement about the league’s progress, stating: "Grand Slam Track™ continues to build momentum as we get closer to our inaugural 2025 season. The attention and recognition this league is gaining is incredible, and it continues to be clear that the best in the world want to be a part of it. We’re creating something truly special – a Festival of Speed – for fans to enjoy."
The league will feature 48 top-tier athletes, known as Grand Slam Track™ Racers, competing in all four Slam events: Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Among the confirmed stars are Jamaicans Ackera Nugent and Roshawn Clarke, alongside global icons such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Fred Kerley, Marileidy Paulino, Grant Fisher, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Alison Dos Santos, and Jereem Richards.
Additionally, 48 Grand Slam Track™ Challengers will join individual Slams, selected based on recent performances and intriguing matchups. Racers and Challengers will compete across categories such as short sprints, hurdles, middle distance, and long distance, with each competitor racing twice during the three-day events.
Grand Slam Track™ shifts the focus from time-based performances to head-to-head competition. Unlike traditional meets, there will be no rabbits or pacing lights. Each Slam is independently scored, with a $100,000 prize for the winner of each group and $10,000 for eighth place. A total of $12.6 million in prize money will be awarded annually, alongside base compensation and appearance fees.
The league is also breaking with tradition by allowing athletes to compete in custom kits designed with their sponsors, free from traditional bibs or hip numbers. This unique approach emphasizes individuality and creativity while showcasing the athletes’ personalities.
With over $30 million in financial commitments from investors, including Winners Alliance, the league aims to revolutionize fan engagement and elevate track and field’s biggest stars through innovative storytelling.
Tickets for all four Slams are now available. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats to witness the Festival of Speed and see the world’s best athletes compete on this groundbreaking platform.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit grandslamtrack.com/events.
Mindley and Blades replace Forde and Joseph in squad for Bangladesh ODIs
Fast bowlers Marquino Mindley and Jediah Blades have been drafted into the West Indies Men’s ODI squad for the three match CG United series against Bangladesh in St Kitts & Nevis as replacements for Matthew Forde and Shamar Joseph, respectively.
The medical team, on further assessment, determined that Forde must continue rehabilitation from a a sustained injury while Joseph is suffering from shin splints following the completion of the recent test series and will be monitored by the medical staff ahead of future assignments.
Mindley bagged the most wickets as a fast bowler in the recent CG United Super 50 tournament with 20 to earn his maiden call up while Blades, who is part of the West Indies Academy, took 14 wickets in the regional tournament to receive his first call up to the squad.
The two will join the rest of the squad on Thursday evening.
The first ODI is scheduled for Sunday, December 8 at Warner Park.
Opinion: Time for a change in the criteria for the RJRGleaner Sports Awards
The announcement of the 2024 nominees for the RJRGleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards has reignited the long-standing debate about the fairness of the nomination criteria. These awards, while prestigious, have been heavily skewed in favor of track and field athletes for decades, leaving world-class performers from other sports marginalized.
It was refreshing to hear Gary Allen, Chairman of the RJR Sports Foundation, acknowledge this issue during the announcement of nominees on Wednesday. He stated that the Foundation’s board would review the criteria for eligibility after questions were raised about the glaring omissions of netballers and footballers, as well as athletes from other disciplines such as mixed martial arts.
Among those omitted this year was Tyrese ‘Tank’ Thompson, who made history by winning the heavyweight division at the Pan American Mixed Martial Arts Championships in Mexico in September. Despite his extraordinary achievement in a highly competitive field, Thompson didn’t even receive a nomination.
Netball Dominance Overlooked
In netball, Jamaican players continue to excel on the world stage. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who plays for the West Coast Fever, has been the leading scorer in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League for the last five seasons. Fowler’s consistent dominance in the world’s premier netball league is unparalleled, yet she was left out of the list of nominees again this year.
Romelda Aiken-George, who in 2024 was named MVP of the Suncorp Super Netball finals after leading the Adelaide Thunderbirds to victory, has also been overlooked. Her achievement, combined with her two previous league titles with the Queensland Firebirds, highlights her place among the sport’s elite.
Additionally, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson have been instrumental in back-to-back Suncorp titles for the Thunderbirds in 2023 and 2024, further solidifying the influence of Jamaican netballers in the world’s top league. Yet, their names remain absent from the nominees list.
The Case for Football
Football also offers a glaring example of exclusion. Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who has established herself as one of the best strikers in the world, plays for Manchester City Women and has been a Ballon d’Or nominee twice. Her incredible performances in the Women’s Super League and UEFA Champions League have placed her among the global elite, yet she wasn’t considered for a nomination.
The current criteria suggest that Shaw’s club-level achievements are somehow less significant because they weren’t earned while representing Jamaica. This is a flawed perspective that undermines the value of world-class performances at the club level.
A Flawed Framework
The awards currently hinge on performances for Jamaica at the global, continental, regional, and domestic levels, which effectively excludes many athletes excelling in professional leagues or international competitions outside national representation.
Take the hypothetical example of Leon Bailey. If he were to score 40 goals and provide 15 assists for Aston Villa, leading them to an English Premier League title, would he not deserve a nomination for Sportsman of the Year? According to the current criteria, he wouldn’t, unless he replicated that performance in a World Cup for Jamaica.
Closer to home, consider a player who has an outstanding season in the Jamaica Premier League, leading their team to a championship. Why should their achievement be any less worthy of recognition?
A Need for Inclusivity
The exclusion of athletes like Thompson, Shaw, Fowler-Nembhard, Aiken-George, and others highlights the need for a more inclusive approach. These individuals are not just representing Jamaica—they are excelling on the global stage, often against the best in their respective fields. Their performances inspire pride and admiration, just as much as any Olympic or World Championship medal.
Moving Forward
The RJRGleaner Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards should reflect the diversity of Jamaican sporting excellence, not just its dominance in track and field. Recognizing achievements across disciplines would validate the efforts of athletes in non-traditional sports, providing the motivation, respect, and recognition they deserve.
I applaud the RJR Sports Foundation for committing to a review of the criteria. Jamaica is more than just a track and field nation; it is a nation rich with talent across countless sports. From the netball courts of Australia to the octagons of Mexico and the football pitches of Europe, Jamaican athletes are making their mark.
The awards should evolve to celebrate this broader spectrum of achievement, ensuring that every Jamaican athlete, regardless of their sport, has a fair chance to be honoured. It’s time to rewrite the criteria and make these awards truly representative of Jamaica’s sporting legacy.
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