It’s no surprise, says JAAA president on junior athletics dominance

With the focus of Jamaica’s top junior athletes now shifting towards the upcoming Penn Relays later this month as well as the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in August, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president Garth Gayle said he is not surprised by the nation’s dominance at the junior level.

Jamaica’s junior athletes have been enjoying another brilliant season following strong performances at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships as well as the nation’s 38th straight hold on the Carifta Games title at the recently concluded regional championship.

Gayle said he is not surprised by the performances as Jamaica possesses a wealth of talent at the age group level. He credited the achievements to the work done by the coaches and the athletes involved.

“It’s no surprise because our athletes are well-prepared and talented and love to compete,” he said. “So it was not surprised by our continued dominance of the junior athletics programme in the region.

“We have not only come out of a gruelling five-day Boys and Girls’ Championships where we saw excellent performances but the students also acquitted themselves very well in Grenada and we topped the table with 84 medals. This was one of our top performances at the regional event, so high marks to the coaches, the management team and most of all, the student athletes.”

Gayle explained that one of the reasons behind the continued success for Jamaica’s junior athletes is the care and attention taken by the JAAA.

He said the associations have taken a keen interest in athlete development and are always looking at ways to find the right balance between an athlete’s health and their performances on the track.

The administration often works alongside schools, coaches and meet organisers to ensure events are held with the interest of the various athletes in mind. This comes after concerns the track and field event calendar might become too hectic for junior athletes.

Gayle insisted an athlete’s health and safety must be the first priority.

“We are always concerned in the timing and how we put the student athletes into the various competitions that happen weekly. We need to ensure that they are able to compete at their best and ensure they are able to get home in time safely because they are students first and then athletes after.

“As such, there must be a balance,” he added. “This is something to which, as an association, we must always be mindful of. But not withstanding that, we speak with also the event planners and meet promoters to make sure it is executed properly as we put these student athletes through the paces,” Gayle said.