KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Track and field officials in Jamaica said they are moving to elevate the rebranded Jamaica Athletics Invitational to Diamond League status soon.
The meet is carded for May 11 at the National Stadium in the Jamaica capital of Kingston, and it has been sanctioned by the sport’s world governing body, World Athletics, as part of its Silver Continental Tour schedule of events.
Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president Garth Gayle said at the meet launch on Wednesday that his team is working to make the meet a regular stop on the Diamond League calendar.
“We have a cadre of international officials, and over the years, we have demonstrated that we can host excellent events,” he said.
“World Athletics is aware of this through their competitions department, so I don’t think it was difficult for them to recognize the quality of our bid and the documents we submitted for this event.”
The Diamond League is an annual series of elite track and field meets that sits in the top tier of the World Athletics calendar. It currently comprises 15 of the sport’s most prestigious invitational events around the globe, with men and women competing in 16 primary disciplines.
Athletes compete for points at the series of meets from May to September, with the most successful in each discipline qualifying for the Diamond League Final, where one man and one woman in each of the 16 disciplines are crowned over two days of competition at the Prefontaine Classic in the American city of Eugene in the state of Oregon.
Each champion is awarded a prestigious Diamond Trophy, U.S. $30.000 in prize money, and a wild card entry for the World Athletics Championships.
Gayle said the JA acknowledged the enormity of making Kingston a regular stop on the Diamond League circuit, but they were more than willing to make an effort.
“I can guarantee you that by the end of this renewal period, I am confident that the status will improve by 2025,” he added. “That’s something you can count on. We aim for the first Diamond League meet (each season) to be held in Jamaica.
“It won’t be an easy undertaking, but with the team I am leading and the commitment of new sponsors who are coming on board, including our current gear sponsors, we are confident that we will be in a strong position by 2025 and beyond.”
Organizers confirmed a galaxy of track & field stars will line up for the meet, including overseas participants such as recently crowned world indoor 60 meters champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia and world 400m hurdles silver medallist Kyron McMaster of the British Virgin Islands.
“I must tell you that members of the organizing committee, especially Olympian Marvin Anderson, have done their homework,” Gayle said.
“He has promised us that he will secure an array of talented international athletes, and he has already teased us with some exciting names. I can guarantee you that there is more to come.
“The beauty of athletics in Jamaica is that we provide a platform not only for our local athletes but also for international athletes to showcase their talents.”
Jamaican athletes confirmed for the meet include reigning Olympic 110 hurdles champion Hansle Parchment, fellow sprint hurdler Rasheed Broadbell, 400 hurdler Jaheel Hyde, World Under-20 triple jump record holder Jaydon Hibbert, and discus thrower Fedrick Dacres on the men’s side.
Sprint hurdler, reigning world champion Danielle Williams, fellow sprint hurdler Megan Tapper, 400 hurdler Rushell Clayton, quarter-miler Stacey-Ann Williams, and triple jumper Shanieka Ricketts headline the women’s list.
and then 