A host of Caribbean track and field stars are set to converge on Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday, as the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic promises fireworks with elite matchups across multiple disciplines.
Leading the regional charge is Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, who will line up in a stacked women’s 100m field that includes American sprint queen and World champion Sha’Carri Richardson. Adding more Caribbean firepower to the event is Tina Clayton, fresh off her national title win in Kingston. Her twin, Tia, is also listed, but after pulling up during the JAAA/Puma National Championships, uncertainty surrounds her participation.
Other global sprint heavyweights such as Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, Americans Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Twanisha Terry, Nigeria’s Favour Ofili, and the Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith round out what is expected to be a marquee showdown.
On the men’s side, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson—fresh from clocking a world-leading personal best of 9.75 seconds to win his second national title—will headline the 100m alongside compatriot Ackeem Blake, who also dipped below 9.90 seconds with a 9.88 personal best. The two Jamaicans will go head-to-head with a formidable lineup that includes 2019 World champion Christian Coleman, Trayvon Bromell, Jeremiah Azu, Brandon Hicklin, Zharnel Hughes, Lachlan Kennedy, and Bayanda Walaza.
The men’s 200m will also feature Caribbean flair with Jamaican two-time national champion Bryan Levell and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards set to face off against Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo and world leader Kenny Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
Grenadian Olympic and World 400m champion Kirani James will headline the men’s one-lap race, while Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley—runner-up at the National Championships—will feature in the women’s equivalent.
In the hurdles, Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson and Malik James-King, who finished second and third, respectively, in the men’s 400m hurdles at Nationals, will look to impress. The women’s 100m hurdles will see World Indoor bronze medalist Ackera Nugent and two-time World champion Danielle Williams carrying Jamaican hopes.
The Caribbean presence is also strong in the field events. Olympic discus champion Roje Stona and Jamaica's national champion Ralford Mullings are among competitors in the men’s discus, while Olympic bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell is set for a major test in the shot put. Three-time Jamaican national champion Ackelia Smith will take on the best in the women’s long jump.