Sun | Sep 8, 2024
Rookies of the Rings

Tia Clayton comes of age

Published:Wednesday | July 31, 2024 | 12:08 AM
Tia Clayton struts on to le Complexe Sportif de l’Île-des-Vannes track as she gets ready for her Olympic debut in Paris, France.
Tia Clayton struts on to le Complexe Sportif de l’Île-des-Vannes track as she gets ready for her Olympic debut in Paris, France.

She’s often known as the other Clayton sister.

But in 2024, Tia is making a name all on her own and could be the surprise package in her first major global championship appearance.

Tia’s talent has been evident since her days at Edwin Allen High School, but the headlines have usually been dominated by her twin sister, Tina, the two-time World Under-20 champion and ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships sprint queen.

The pair found their way to MVP Track Club two years ago and the country has been waiting for them to come of age.

But it is Tia who has made the giant leap forward. In June, she went sub-11 for the first time in her career with a blistering 10.86 seconds for a massive personal best en route to a 100m semi-final win at the National Championships.

She proved the feat was no fluke when she ran her way back to a second-place finish in the final in a nippy 10.90 seconds.