Among the first-timers at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) on Thursday were Dr Trevor Dixon, his son Jahmal, and athletics scout from the United States Chris Goodwin.

Dr Dixon, the chief executive officer of the JahJah Foundation, and an emergency medicine physician at Jacobi Medical Centre in the Bronx, New York, was born in Jamaica where he lived until about age 10, but he had never attended Champs or even set foot inside the National Stadium.

That changed for him this year and what made the occasion even more memorable was that his son was with him to experience the Champs vibes.

“I was born in a little town called Christiana in Manchester. It is a farming community mostly. Before I left Jamaica, I was already in track and field at my little local primary school, so track and field has always been in my blood, but this is my first time at Champs. It is like a blessing. I didn’t plan to come to Champs. My son is on his spring break from school, he and I are on a father and son trip to Jamaica,” Dr Dixon told the Jamaica Observer.

“On Wednesday I spoke to one of my good friends and I found out that Champs was happening in Kingston. While I can’t be here for the grand finale on Saturday, I said I still had to come and see the runners. This is special to me and gives me a very strong feeling because many of the schools competing are from the country, like Holmwood Technical, Edwin Allen, and Manchester High. All these schools are schools I possibly could have gone to had I stayed in Jamaica. I could have been here running if I didn’t migrate to the United States,” Dixon told the Observer.

He noted that track and field presents many opportunities for Jamaican youngsters and their families.

“It is an opportunity for them and their families to go abroad and do better. I feel blessed to be in this track and field environment. Living in Brooklyn, I was exposed to many of these high schools although I had never seen them. Whitfield “Witty” Henry, the promoter of Uptown Mondays, he went to Kingston College (KC) and he lived in New York. KC guys are some very proud guys.

“I also worked in a bakery on Church Avenue in New York that is called St Jago Bakery. It was owned by a guy who came from Spanish Town. When I see the St Jago athletes run, it is very special to me too because I worked at the bakery for about six to seven years. I learned all about St Jago and Spanish Town in that bakery,” Dixon shared.

It was also the first time in Jamaica for Goodwin who was very excited to attend the championships.

He is a member of a team of coaches from Kansas State University in the island scouting for new talent to take back to the US.

The New Zealander told the Observer that while he enjoyed the competition among the athletes, he really loved the food and the warm personality of Jamaicans.

Luckily for him, he had Jamaican Olympian Clive Pullen on his team of scouts to help guide him on the dos and the don’ts while on the island.

“I have been here for two days now and everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. I have got to experience the culture, the food, and I have been watching some amazing track and field. The most exciting part is seeing the kids doing what they love. I am originally from Hamilton, New Zealand, which is about an hour south of Oakland which is a big city. Before coming to Jamaica I was told to expect great food, great athletes, and great people.

“I feel very privileged to be surrounded by great individuals. Clive Pullen, Jamaican legend, I think he epitomises what Jamaicans are — friendly, caring and loving individuals. Since I have been here, the people have lived up to my expectations. Everyone has been very nice. Every school and coach has been friendly and excited. Sport is something that brings people together,” said the former long jump champion in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Championships in the US.