Warm weather, warm people, party vibes, and good food? Although Grand Slam Track (GST) is in Jamaica for its first stop, which means serious business and getting your game face on, what athlete would not be enticed by that?

Several athletes shared that being in this environment helped them to shake off the nerves of competing in this lucrative new series.

Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos, visiting Jamaica for the first time, set a world lead (WL) of 47.61 seconds in the men’s 400m hurdles on Friday and spoke glowingly about the atmosphere.

“The conditions were great,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “It was a little bit windy, but I was ready for it.

The USA’s Vernon Norwood finished third in the Men’s 400m behind compatriot Christopher Bailey, who won, and Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith on Friday. He is also having a grand time, not least because he got the chance to compete on a track of his favourite colour — green. He is, however, familiar with the island, having competed at the National Stadium at several international meets in the past.

“The Jamaican fans have been great to us,” Norwood said. “I’m having a wonderful time here, I love Jamaica. It’s nice to be here.”

While admitting that he did not indulge in the cuisine because he had to be mindful of his conditioning for GST, he shared his plans for after the competition.

“I’ve been keeping it real light because I wanted to stay on my toes, but probably after the meet I’ll go to KFC and get some stuff, [maybe also] get some bun and cheese,” Norwood said.

Men’s 100m sprint winner ‘Kung Fu’ Kenny Bednarek is an avid gamer and The Legend of Zelda is one of his favourite video game titles. He used the opportunity to compete to show love to both the game and Jamaica by donning a mostly black and green headband with traces of gold.

“These are Jamaican colours, and I wanted to show some respect to Jamaica,” he said. “So that’s why it has the green, black, and yellow, and also the Legend of Zelda is a game that I used to play when I was a kid. The hero, his name is Link, he ends up turning into a wolf, so the wolf here is just a representation of my inner strength, and that’s what happened here today, and I got the win.”

Bailey, who, like Dos Santos, also set a WL (44.34s), said he, too, loves the atmosphere. He was particularly taken by the roughly 7,000 spectators on hand, making their presence felt with their cheers and horns, referred to by Jamaicans as vuvuzelas.

“The weather’s nice, the audience is spectacular,” he said. “It’s almost a hometown crowd out here. Everybody just loves track and field. Whether you’re from Jamaica or you’re from the States, or any other country in Europe, they were chanting for us, so I love it.”

Organisers are hoping to have a higher turnout today, the final day, by making admission to the bleachers at the stadium free.

Alison dos Santos (left) wins ahead of Roshawn Clarke in the men’s 400m hurdles race during the inaugural Grand Slam Track at National Stadium on Friday, April 4, 2025. Dos Santos spoke glowingly about the atmosphere at the stadium.Photo: Naphtali Junior

American sprinter Kenny Bednarek celebrates after winning the 100m at the inaugural Grand Slam Track on Friday. Bednarek said he raced in his black, green and gold headband in respect to the Jamaican people. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

American Olympic and world champion sprinter Justin Gatlin obliges these young Jamaican fans with a photo on Day One of the inaugural Grand Slam Track inside National Arena in St Andrew on Friday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

American Christopher Bailey signals appreciation to spectators after winning the 400m on Day One of the inaugural Grand Slam Track at National Stadium in Jamaica on Friday. Bailey said he was particularly taken by the roughly 7,000 spectators on hand, making their presence felt with their cheers and horn. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)