WITH just a few days to go before the start of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, manager of Jamaica’s team in Japan, Ian Forbes is reporting that the athletes are in high spirits ahead of the September 13-21 showpiece event.

Jamaica’s contingent to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, is presently at the preparation camp in Tottori and will be travelling to the capital city on Wednesday to continue fine-tuning for what Forbes expects will be a successful campaign.

“All in all, I think everyone is upbeat and optimistic, and everyone is working very hard and looking ahead to the championships. We are anticipating good things. Our athletes are focused, and the acclimatisation process has gone very well, and everyone is champing at the bit and are ready to go,” said Forbes, who also hailed the Japanese for their hospitality and the support given to the Jamaicans.

“Our camp commenced on September 1 and things have been going exceedingly well. The facilities are super. The sports complex has two running tracks — the requisite infield and long throws areas; short throws, all the jumps and throws facilities. There is also an indoor 100m stretch which can facilitate indoor practice,” Forbes told the
Jamaica Observer.

“The hospitality of the people has been extremely warm. And, of course, this is our third sojourn here in Tottori preparing for championships. In the 2007 championship in Osaka we were here, the 2015 World Championships contingent also came here, and of course now in 2025 we are here again.”

Jamaica’s team to the 2020 Olympic Games also camped in Tottori ahead of the event.

The alliance between the Japanese Prefecture and Jamaica was also recently deepened when the Jamaica Olympic Association and the Jamaica Paralympic Association renewed their partnership.

“Presently we have approximately 50 athletes in camp and the requisite support staff of coaches, massage therapists, doctors and administrators, as well as on-the-ground partners from Tottori have done a tremendous job. The volunteers have been with us every step of the way and have tried to facilitate every request,” added a grateful Forbes.

He also reported that, unlike in previous situations, there have been no complaints about food at the camp given the wide variety of options that are prepared for the team.

“The cuisine is quite good as well; the menu offers a wide array of dishes so one would find something to their liking.”

At the last World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Jamaica secured 12 medals inclusive of three gold, five silver and four bronze — matching the country’s second-highest tally with the 2019 and 2015 hauls.

The country’s highest medal return at the World Athletics Championships came in 2009 with 13 medals.

— Andre Lowe

National coach Mark Elliot and 800m runner Kelly Ann Beckford in dialogue during a training session in Tottori, Japan, on September 5, 2025 ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.