Renowned international start referee James Kelly has emphasised the significance of unity and fairness among start officials at the ongoing ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), asserting that these values will contribute to the event’s success.

Kelly, a native of St Kitts and Nevis, is one of the longest-serving accredited international officials in the Caribbean, having joined the cohort in 1999. Despite this being his first stint officiating at Champs, Kelly is no stranger to Jamaica, having attended College of Arts, Science and Technology (now University of Technology, Jamaica) from 1982 to 1985.

He told the Jamaica Observer that it is important for the starting crew to stick together throughout the championship as all their decisions must be made collectively and effectively.

“I am really looking forward to the competition and the unity of the officials because they have to understand that we are working as a team,” he said. “If you see something is wrong, do not go out there and make everybody in the stadium recognise that something is wrong and even if you think that something is definitely wrong, don’t make it obvious.

“Work psychology tells you try to understand the human behaviour in the workplace and what you are doing actually in the competition area, so people in the stadium will be looking at your reaction. Therefore, you have to know how to deal with situations that will stay within the confine of the officials rather than getting out into the atmosphere that everybody could see.”

Kelly says that his role is not to intimidate but to assist local officials in maintaining transparency during the championships.

“It is always an honour for me to assist, and it’s important to understand that I am not here to take control but to ensure smooth operations,” Kelly said.

“It is a team, I will make them make their decision, I will only make a decision if it is a blatant mistake. I will read the Operatus and if the Operatus shows me clearly that is a false start, then I am going tell them clearly that it is a false start.”