NATIONAL track and field coach Maurice Wilson is optimistic about Jamaica’s performances in the upcoming track and field season.

Jamaica’s last outing at a major global event was the Paris Olympics where it returned with six medals consisting of one gold, three silver, and two bronze. This is some measure short of the tally Jamaicans are used to at the Games since Beijing 2008, which many regard as Jamaica’s golden era of track and field.

Many fans were frustrated at this return, especially as Jamaica took only one medal in the sprints (Kishane Thompson’s Men’s 100m silver) from which the country had expected its strongest performances. However, Wilson says he would rather focus on the positives from that summer, describing the other occurrences as mishaps.

“First of all, let us congratulate those who did well, especially in the field events,” he told the Sunday Observer. “We have always been consistent with anywhere between 10 and 13 medals at the highest level since 2008.

“I think there were a number of factors. I don’t believe in bad luck but I think we were very unlucky in terms of some of the events with persons getting injured, persons coming forth and they were injured. There were sure medals we expected but [we] had the baton being dropped. I think we lost about four or five medals because of unfortunate circumstances, however I don’t think we should look at it [in] that [negative] way.”

Wilson says these mishaps can be prevented this season with proper preparation.

“We should have a restoration plan in place — it’s something I’ve been talking about for years,” he said. “And we cannot sit on our laurels because all the things we used to do, other countries are doing it now and doing it better.

“So I guess if we are able to build on what we have been doing over time, we should get back to where we were in the next two or three years.”

Jamaica’s main focus this year is the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 25.

There, Jamaica will look to redeem itself in the sprints as Shericka Jackson, a two-time 200m world champion, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a five-time 100m world champion, should be among the medal contenders provided they qualify from the national trials. Jackson did not compete in Paris because of injury while Fraser-Pryce’s Olympic campaign ended moments before the 100m semi-final when she also pulled out injured.

However, Jackson has already started her season, placing second in 7.18 seconds over 60m at the Queen’s/Grace Jackson Development Meet in Kingston last month. She was beaten by Jodean Williams (coached at Sprintec Track Club by Wilson) in 7.14s.

Thompson has also started his season, running a personal best 6.48 seconds over 60m in Spanish Town last month. Since then he has also clocked 6.56 and 6.58 seconds at an indoor meet in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Jamaica’s only Women’s 100m finalist in Paris, Tia Clayton has had a similar path to Thompson this season. She also clocked a personal best (7.14s) over 60m in Spanish Town, then competed twice in Astana, clocking 7.18 and 7.22 seconds there.

Jamaica will be sending a team to the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, in March.