The new guard

JAMAICA’S 60 TRACK and field athletes headed to the XXXII Olympiad in Paris boast a mix of experience and youth that says much about the future of the sport in the island.

Unlike in Olympic entrances in recent times, there aren’t many in the team who have won individual gold medals or medals for that matter.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Hansle Parchment are the only ones who can claim that honour, the latter the lone defending champion headed to the Games.

That doesn’t mean the team lacks experience though, with Shericka Jackson, having won individual bronze over 400 metres, as well as others who have been to the big stage on numerous occasions like Shanieka Ricketts and Kimberly Williams in the triple jump.

More striking than those more experienced heads, though, are the number of new Turks looking to make a name on the Olympic stage.

Among the men, Ackeem Blake, Kishane Thompson, and Oblique Seville represent the new guard among the country’s sprinters.

Names like Lanae-Tava Thomas and Niesha Burgher over the 200 metres are certainly new.

Tia Clayton has just shown a glimpse of what she can do at the senior level, while Shashalee Forbes, and newcomer Alana Reid can’t claim they’ve seen it all before.

Still, the newcomers and almost-newcomers do have a wealth of experience to lean on.

Coaches Glen Mills, Paul Francis, Mark Elliott, Julian Robinson, Reynaldo Walcott, and Michael Frater have seen it all before.

Olympic Track and Field team

WOMEN

100m : Shericka Jackson, Tia Clayton, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

200m: Niesha Burgher, Shericka Jackson, Lanae-Tava Thomas

400m: Junelle Bromfield, Stacy Ann Williams, Nickisha Pryce

800m: Natoya Goule Toppin, Adelle Tracey

1500m: Adelle Tracey

100m hurdles: Janeek Brown, Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams

400m hurdles: Rushell Clayton, Shiann Salmon, Janieve Russell

Long jump: Chanice Porter, Ackelia Smith

High jump: Lamara Distin

Triple Jump: Shanieka Ricketts, Ackelia Smith, Kimberly Williams

Discus: Samantha Hall

Shot put: Lloydricia Cameron, Danniel Thomas -Dodd

Hammer: Nyokia Clunis

4x100m: Tia Clayton, Shericka Jackson, Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Alternate: Alana Reid

4x400m: Junelle Bromfield, Stacy Ann Williams, Nickisha Pryce, Stephenie McPherson

Alternate: Ashley Williams

Mixed 4x400m: Andrenette Knight, Charokee Young

MEN

100m: Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, Ackeem Blake

200m: Bryan Levell, Andrew Hudson

400m: Sean Bailey, Deandre Watkin, JeVaughn Powell,

800m: Navasky Anderson

110m hurdles: Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, Hansle Parchment

400m hurdles: Roshawn Clarke, Malik James-King, Jaheel Hyde

High Jump: Romaine Beckford

Long jump: Wayne Pinnock, Carey McLeod, Tajay Gayle

Triple Jump: Jaydon Hibbert, Jordan Scott

Discus: Roje Stona, Traves Smikle, Ralford Mullngs

Shot Put: Rajindra Campbell

4x100m: Ackeem Blake, Kishane Thompson, Jelani Walker

Mixed 4x400m: Raheem Hayles, Zandrion Barnes