New York, USA — It is unclear whether reported plans by the Donald Trump Administration to pause funding for the University of Pennsylvania will affect the staging of the 2025 Penn Relays, the annual carnival of sprint featuring the cream of Jamaican high school athletes.

The popular relay event, which usually attracts an estimated 17,000 athletes and 100,000 fans — including 600 athletes and officials from Jamaica, and an additional 100 Jamaican athletes attending schools in the New York area — as well as athletes from other Caribbean islands, is expected to take place from April 24 to 26, 2025.

The New York Times reported last week that “the Trump Administration said it would suspend about $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its approach to transgender athletes”.

According to the newspaper, the move would intensify the US Government’s campaign against the participation of transgender people in sports and escalate a clash with elite public colleges.

In response to Jamaica Observer queries about whether a funding pause would affect the Penn Relays, Aaron Robison, the event’s associate director, said the university was aware of media reports suggesting a suspension of $175 million in federal funding to Penn, but had not yet received any official notification or details.

“The University of Pennsylvania has always followed the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and conference policies regarding student participation on athletic teams,” Robison insisted.

“We are in full compliance with recent changes to NCAA rules that were made in response to the executive order from the Trump Administration, regarding transgender athletes. The university does not have a policy that is separate from its governing bodies,” he added.

Robison argued that NCAA policies had evolved over the years. Beginning in 2010, the NCAA required that transgender athletes be allowed access to participation on college teams.

But in February of this year, after the Trump Administration’s executive order banning the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sport, “the NCAA revised its policy in compliance as did our conference”.

“The university’s athletic programmes have always operated within the framework provided by the federal government, the NCAA and our conference,” he said.

Irwine Clare Sr, who heads Team Jamaica Bickle, the non-profit organisation which has been providing meals, ground transportation and medical assistance for Jamaican and other Caribbean athletes during the relays for 30 years, said he is uncertain what effect, if any, the reported withholding of funds from the university might have on the relays.

His counterpart and co-founder of the non-profit body Blane Stoddart told the Observer he too “does not know if a withdrawal of funding by the federal government will affect the staging of the relays”.

He believed, however, that it might not be the case, as “it is my understanding that staging of the relays is funded by ticket sales and sponsorships”.

Earlier this month the US Administration said similarly it was pausing some $400 million to Columbia University in New York. The decision followed what the Administration described as its failure to adequately deal with anti-Semitism on its campus.

The university has since agreed to a number of changes in an effort to get the funds restored. They include a ban on the wearing of masks during protests, the hiring of more security officers, and a review of its admission procedures to ensure unbiased processes.

The Penn Relays, which began as the Penn Relay Carnival in April 1895, have become one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, providing an opportunity for Jamaican high school athletes to crown themselves in glory.

Jamaica first participated in the relays in 1964 when a team from Kingston College (KC) took gold in the 440 yards relay in a time of 42.7 seconds. Since then the country’s young athletes have been sought after by scouts and trainers from colleges and universities across the United States during the staging of the relays.

KC, now celebrating its 100th anniversary, was this weekend’s winner, along with Hydel High, of the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships respectively, at Kingston’s National Stadium. Victors at Champs are always an indication of students who will be targeted for Penns.

Over the years, a long line of Jamaican athletes, including the world’s fastest human, Usain Bolt; the world’s most decorated woman sprinter, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce; and Lennox Miller, a member of that pioneering 1964 KC team, have all left their marks on the Penn Relays.

Team Jamaica Bickle, keeping its fingers crossed, is proceeding with its plans for this year’s relays — the 129th staging — which will be held at Franklin Field on the university’s campus in Pennsylvania.

The organisation, in a press release, said it will hold its “Labor of Love Fundraising Gala” on April 13 under the patronage of Jamaica’s Consul General to New York Alsion Wilson at the Crest Holly Country Club on Long Island, New York.

Nelson Christian “Chris” Stokes, the four-time Olympic bobsledder and president of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation, will head a list of honorees at the gala.

Members of Kingston College track and field team celebrate their 36th hold on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy after winning the 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ Championships at the National Stadium for the fourth consecutive year on Saturday, March 29 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Sandrey Davidson of Jamaica leads home the Jamaica mens ahead of Ghana at the Penn Relays at the Franklin Field stadium in Philadelphia, Saturday ,April 27,2024. The team was made up of Oshane Bailey,Tyquendo Tracey,Ramone Barnswell and Sandrey Davidson in order of running. (Photo/Collin Reid)

Irwine Clarke Sr, head of Team Jamaica Bickle.