JAAA maintains thread of hope after Clunis bungle
IAN Forbes, the first vice-president of Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), says there is still a glimmer of hope that national hammer throw record holder Nayoka Clunis could yet participate at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Clunis, 28, who achieved a national record throw of 71.83m in the United States, was omitted from JAAA’s official list that was submitted to World Athletics for the Olympic Games.
Clunis, currently ranked 27th in the world, has described her situation as unfortunate.
However, Forbes told the Jamaica Observer on Saturday that JAAA received communication from World Athletics indicating that if a spot in the hammer throw becomes available, Clunis would be next in line.
“World Athletics would have responded, and at this stage they are still trying to facilitate our athlete’s participation,” said Forbes during an exclusive interview from the Jamaican team’s training base in Stuttgart, Germany.
“Of course the athlete has to wait a bit longer to see how certain events unfold, [if] there is an opportunity for her to be slotted in.
“We are hoping that there will be a cancellation or withdrawal by someone from the event, which would make a space available, and we have been advised by World Athletics that she would be first in line to get that position. This was communicated to the athlete and we are hoping that things will work out,” he said.
The veteran sports administrator acknowledged that Clunis’s situation is a very unfortunate one and that his association is keeping its fingers crossed for a positive outcome that would allow her to compete at the Games.
“It is most disappointing, and we understand how the athlete feels. And we, along with all Jamaicans, feel [sad] for her but we are hoping for a positive outcome so that she will be able to compete,” Forbes noted.
Clunis made history in 2023 by becoming the first Jamaican to compete in the hammer throw competition at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. She also won four national titles at the JAAA national senior and junior championships. The women’s hammer throw event at the Olympic Games is scheduled to begin on August 4.
