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)
Oscar Pistorius denied parole for murder of Reeva Steenkamp
Oscar Pistorius has been denied an early release from prison after his request for parole was rejected.
Pistorius, the former Olympian and Paralympian, became eligible for parole having served more than half of his 13-year sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
But he will remain in prison after authorities determined he had not served enough of his sentence.
The decision was welcomed by Ms Steenkamp's family.
"We miss Reeva terribly and will do so for the rest of our lives. We believe in justice and hope that it continues to prevail," a statement from the family read.
Pistorius was originally found guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to six years in prison. That verdict was later overturned and he was convicted of murder, with Pistorius handed a 13-year team in 2017.
Edwin Allen’s Delano Kennedy (45.27), Holmwood Technical’s Rickiann Russell (51.26) run personal bests to win 400m titles at ISSA Boys and Girls Championships
Edwin Allen’s Delano Kennedy brought the curtain down on Thursday’s day three of the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships with a gold medal in the Class 1 Boys 400m final at the National Stadium in Kingston.
The 19-year-old World Under-20 finalist secured nine points for the Clarendon-based school with a personal best 45.27 to win gold ahead of Jamaica College’s Malique Smith Band (45.74) and St. Elizabeth Technical’s Jasauna Dennis (45.87). Smith Band and Dennis also ran personal bests.
In the Girls Class 1 event, Holmwood Technical’s Rickiann Russell produced an excellent personal best 51.26, narrowly missing out on Sonita Sutherland’s record of 51.13 done in 2006, to win gold ahead of Hydel’s Oneika McAnuff (52.11) and Edwin Allen’s Kacian Powell (52.76).
KC’s Tahj-Marques White, the pre-race favourite in Class 2, made good on the promise he showed throughout the rounds to comfortably take gold in 47.73 ahead of JC’s Omary Robinson (48.49) and Calabar’s Nickecoy Bramwell (48.88).
Jody-Ann Daley of Hydel won the Girls Class 2 final in 53.61 ahead of Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery (54.12) and St. Catherine’s fast-finishing Kitania Headley (54.13).
Calabar’s Christopher Ellis produced a mild upset in the Class 3 final when he ran 50.49 to defeat the KC pair Jordan Rehedul (50.67) and Eshanee Porter (50.69).
Hydel were once again winners in Class 3 through Nastassia Fletcher’s 53.99 effort. Excelsior’s Breana Brown ran 55.58 for second while Rhodes Hall’s Rhianna Lewis was third in 56.15.
In the field, Edwin Allen’s Dylan Logan threw 16.03m to win the Class 2 Boys shot put ahead of Petersfield’s Ranaldo Anderson (15.15m) and KC’s Jaeden Williams (15.05m).
The Class 1 Boys discus was won by JC’s Racquil Broderick with an impressive 62.94m ahead of Calabar’s World Under-20 shot put silver medallist Kobe Lawrence (60.41m) and Clarendon College’s Ricardo Hayles (60.15m).
KC’s Isaiah Patrick, who missed Champs last year through injury, produced a record 6969 points to win the boys decathlon ahead of JC’s Dorian Charles (6579 points) and Calabar’s Kevin Brooks (6202 points).
On the Girls’ side, Hydel’s Zavien Bernard cleared 1.77m for victory in the Class 3 high jump ahead of Edwin Allen’s Asia McKay (1.71m) and Rhode Hall’s Aaliyah Williams (1.68m).
St. Jago’s Jade-Ann Dawkins jumped 6.12m for gold in the Class 2 long jump ahead of St. Catherine High’s Rohanna Sudlow (5.90m) and Edwin Allen’s Deijanae Bruce (5.75m).
Immaculate Conception’s Ashley Barrett took the crown in Class 4 with 5.25m. St. Mary High’s Sackoya Palmer took second with 5.22m and Hydel’s Arrian Nelson third with 5.10m.
Edwin Allen took gold in the Girls Open javelin throw through Sheniela Williams’ 42.40m ahead of Hydel’s Natassia Burrell (41.82m) and Immaculate Conception’s Zoelle Jamel (39.70m).
As far as points go, Kingston College leads the Boys standings after 15 events scored with 124 points. Jamaica College finds themselves second with 121 while the top five is rounded out by Calabar with 70, St. Elizabeth Technical with 41 and St. Jago High with 32.
Hydel lead the standings on the Girls side after 16 events scored with 98 points, one more then defending champions Edwin Allen while the top five is completed by Holmwood Technical with 73.50, St. Jago High with 70 and Immaculate Conception with 44.
“It will only get better from here,” says KC’s Nkrumie after historic 9.99 performance
March 29, 2023 is a day that fans of Jamaican track and field will never forget.
The stage was set at the National Stadium in Kingston on Wednesday night for the Class One boys 100m final where Kingston College star Bouwahjgie Nkrumie was aiming to secure his first gold medal since moving up to class one two years ago.
Not only was he expected to easily win the race, he was expected to become the first Jamaican Under-20 athlete to break the 10-second barrier.
After coasting to 10.51 to win his heat on Tuesday, the World Under-20 silver medallist heightened the expectations of the many watching on at the Stadium and at home when he sped to 10.08 in the semi-finals, breaking the record set in 2014 by Zharnel Hughes.
Then, with everyone’s eyes glued to the Stadium track, Nkrumie did it. He produced a special 9.99, breaking his own national junior record 10.02, and becoming only the third Under-20 athlete to break 10 seconds.
The other two are Botswanan Letsile Tebogo who ran 9.91 to defeat Nkrumie at the World Under-20 Championships last year and American Trayvon Bromell who ran 9.97 in 2014.
That time also makes Nkrumie the current world leader in the event.
“I can’t explain the feeling right now. I can tell you, now, it was not easy to do. It will only get better from here,” Nkrumie said after the race.
“Felt good throughout the rounds but I wasn’t pleased with the execution in the final again. That’s what affected me last year but I promise you I will get it together at the right time,” he added.
As previously stated, this was Nkrumie’s third 100m final since making the transition to Class One in 2021.
That year, Nkrumie took bronze while, in 2022, his finished sixth after stumbling out of his blocks.
He reacted to finally claiming that elusive gold medal.
“The journey has been rough to be honest but if only some athletes in high school had the mindset that I have, they’d be so fantastic but, as I said, I’m happy to achieve this time and it’s only going to get better from here,” Nkrumie said.
As for what comes next for the three-time Kingston College team captain, he says wait and see.
“Let’s see. The season is long. With the way my coach planned out this season, you will definitely see me run faster down the line.”
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