PARIS, France — While admitting there have been some minor logistical glitches in the build-up to the start of athletics at the Olympic Games on Friday, Jamaica’s Team Manager Ludlow Watts says all systems are now in place and the country’s athletes are ready and raring to go.

Watts, along with members of the Jamaican management, attended the team’s training session on Monday, when sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Nickisha Pryce, Ackera Nugent, Adelle Tracey, Rasheed Broadbell, and Deandre Watkins were put through their paces by their respective coaches.

He told the Jamaica Observer that things have been progressing well, and they are anxiously awaiting the start of the championships on Friday.

“Based on what I have observed and based on the opinion of the coaching staff, things are going quite well,” Watts said. “I think that the athletes are comfortable, and they are here for a mission, and I think that they are prepared to do well, and they are focusing on that.

“Nothing is perfect, but we are satisfied with what we have to cope with and I think we are prepared to do well. I am not aware of any major injuries but the coaches will do a final assessment tomorrow [Tuesday] before we do our declarations and make our final preparations for the second of August.”

With Jamaica’s failure to qualify for the men’s 4x400m relays at the Olympic Games, Watts says management will be placing more emphasis on ensuring that their mixed 4x400m relay team secures a medal.

“We have always not done well in the mixed relays, as you have seen over the years, but I think things may change this year in terms of our performance,” he said. “A lot of Jamaican athletes don’t value the mixed relays — although they are the same medals — and in terms of World Athletics Championships, it is the same amount of payment for the achievement, so I expect that there will be some improvements on what we have been having over the years. The coaches have been having an extra focus towards it, and we feel that may change in terms of the preparations.”

The heats of the mixed relays competition begin on Friday.

Jamaica won nine medals at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, consisting of four gold, one silver, and four bronze. Watts expects that number to increase this year.

“I don’t like to predict a medal count but, considering that we have had double digits over the years, I think that we will be in that range, but I am not making any predictions,” he said.