LONDON, England — Passport and visa issues have delayed American-born Jasmine Fray’s debut for Jamaica in the 800m, leaving Natoya Goule and Kimarra McDonald to carry the flag today at the London World Championships.

The 20-year-Fray, who has Jamaican heritage, decided to make herself available to represent Jamaica by the influential Natoya Goule who was impressed by her talent and convinced her to make the switch.

The Texas A&M athlete, who has a best 800m time of 2:00.69 indoors and 2:01.43 minutes outdoors, came to the Jamaican Senior Championships and was second in 2:02.28 behind Goule, who stopped the clock at 2:00.90 minutes.

Fray was selected to represent Jamaica in London, but team manager Ian Forbes confirmed to the Jamaica Observer that she will not compete because of passport and visa issues.

“Jasmine actually applied for Jamaican citizenship as far back as June and there were a series of issues that affected that application,” said Forbes.

He continued: “In one instance, documents were misplaced, not by Jasmine, possibility by the authorities then that was rectified. Then photographs were sent and those went missing as well. So it was just a series of issues which pretty much mitigated against her in getting the Jamaican citizenship in time, which would enable her to get a Jamaican passport on time.”

Fray was encouraged by Goule to represent Jamaica as she wanted a good training partner to help push her to higher heights.

But Fray will have to wait for the next big athletics occasion to make her debut for Jamaica, and she remains optimistic. The talented runner is the daughter of Jamaican Dr Ingrid Fray, who is the assistant professor at St John’s University in New York

“She is disappointed. We spoke with Jasmine and her mother Dr Ingrid Fray and explained the situation, they have accepted it, she will continue working hard and continue striving to represent Jamaica,” said Forbes.

Goule, Jamaica’s national champion, will run from heat three at 1:25 pm Jamaica time and will face South Africa’s Caster Semenya, while McDonald will line up against Charlene Lipsey of the USA and Kenya’s Eunice Jepkoech Sum.

The first three in each heat and the next six fastest qualify to the semi-finals.

Earlier at 1:10 pm, Kimberly Williamson will try her luck in the high jump with an automatic qualifying mark of 1.94m. Williamson, who had a seasonal best of 1.91m, is drawn in Group One alongside Inikka McPherson of the USA, St Lucian Levern Spencer, Marie Laurence Jungfleish of Germany and Irina Gordeeva an Authorised Neutral Athlete.

The high jump looks like a one-horse race as defending champion Maria Lasitskene has won 33 of her 36 competitions indoors and outdoors and arrived in London on a 24-win streak. She is drawn in Group B.