KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s track and field governing body has assembled a powerhouse roster headlined by World Athletics Championships medalists for the upcoming World Athletics Relays, set to take place on May 2 and 3 in Gaborone, Botswana.
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) confirmed that Tokyo 2023 World Championships gold medalist Oblique Seville and fellow sprint star Kishane Thompson will anchor the country’s men’s 4x100m relay pool. They will be joined by rising talents Ackeem Blake and Ryiem Forde, alongside additional squad members Rasheed Foster, Kadrian Goldson, Rohan Watson, Adrian Kerr and Odaine McPherson, creating one of the most formidable men’s sprint relay lineups in the event.
On the women’s side of the 4x100m sprint relay, the lineup is equally stacked. 2023 World Championships medalist Tina Clayton will compete alongside her twin sister Tia Clayton, with Olympic gold medalists Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah also named to the pool. The squad is further strengthened by World Indoor 60m finalist Jonielle Smith, plus sprinters Jodean Williams, Natasha Morrison, Lavanya Williams and Briana Williams, giving the coaching staff no shortage of elite options to choose from for the final race lineup.
For the 4x400m relays, a mix of experienced campaigners and exciting new faces highlight Jamaica’s selections. Janielle Josephs, a former standout athlete at St Andrew High and the University of Minnesota, earns her first call-up to the senior national team, joining Shana Kaye Anderson, Leah Anderson, and top hurdlers Rochelle Clayton, Andrenette Knight and Shian Salmon in the women’s 4x400m pool.
In the men’s 4x400m relay pool, Reheem Hayles – who claimed bronze at this year’s World Indoor Championships as part of Jamaica’s 4x400m squad – is joined by former World Championships gold medalist Antonio Watson, Jevaughn Powell, Deandre Watkins, and hurdlers Roshawn Clarke and Assine Wilson, with Jeremy Bembridge and Tajh-Marques White also completing the roster.
Jamaica will field teams in all six relay events at the two-day competition: men’s 4x100m, women’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, women’s 4x400m, mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m.
Alongside the athlete selections, JAAA has also confirmed the full event management team for the trip. Judith Ewart will serve as team leader, with Dr Warren Blake acting as assistant team leader and safeguarding officer. Maurice Wilson takes on the role of technical leader, with coaches Mark Elliott, Paul Francis and Reynaldo Walcott overseeing athlete preparation. The medical and support team includes team doctor Dr Marsha James, physiotherapist Pier-Ann Brown, and massage therapists Garfield Simmonds, Jeffrey King and Richard Stephens.