JAAA experiencing challenges finalising team for Commonwealth Games
BIRMINGHAM, England – With track and field action set to get started on August 2 and despite the Jamaica Athletics Administration (JAAA) announcing a 46-member team to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, team manager Ludlow Watts says officials are facing a challenge to put the unit together and is warning of likely changes to the squad.
Watts told the Jamaica Observer that the management group was struggling to finalise the team ahead of the start of the athletics competition at Alexander Stadium due to several issues including athletes suffering injuries and expressing that they now have other commitments.
“I think by tomorrow (Thursday) or so we’ll be in a better position to state where we are in terms of the number of people arriving, the team, and preparation,” Watts said from the team’s base at the University of Birmingham.
“So, at this moment, most of the people are just arriving, and a number of people are not going to be part of the team because of injuries and some other reasons. But I would say by tomorrow, we’ll be in a better position to state who are the people that will be coming and also the events in which they will compete,” said Watts.
The challenges stem from the short turnaround time between the World Athletics Championships, which ended in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday and the Commonwealth Games, which gets underway on Friday.
Jamaica won 10 medals (2 gold, 7 silver, 1 bronze) in Eugene. The country won 27 medals at the last Commonwealth Games, which was held in the Gold Coast, Australia, with athletics contributing 25 of these medals.
Watts further indicated that the technical team will likely have to get creative when selecting relay teams with several athletes who were expected to travel to Birmingham, pulling out at the last minute.
“Yes, there may be additional changes because one, you know that coming from the World Championships a number of persons who should have been a part of a team have reported that they are not able to do so because of slight injuries or commitments that they have made earlier in the season and that it’s not feasible for them to continue performing at this level at this particular moment,” Watts said.
“There are a number of things that are not so certain at this moment but we’ll get that in short order,” said Watts.
JAAA team for Commonwealth Games 2022:
Ackelia Smith, Danielle Williams, Danniel Thomas-Dodd, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Janieve Russell, Junelle Bromfield, Kadrian Goldson, Kemba Nelson, Kimberly Williams, Kimberly Williamson, Lamara Distin, Lloydricia Cameron, Megan Tapper, Natalliah Whyte, Natasha Morrison, Natoya Goule, Roniesha McGregor, Rushell Clayton, Shanieka Ricketts, Remona Burchell, Shericka Jackson, Shiann Salmon, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Tiffany James.
Akeem Bloomfeld, Conroy Jones, Fedrick Dacres, Hansle Parchment, Jaheel Hyde, Javon Francis, Jevaughn Powell, Jordan Scott, Karayme Bartley, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Kemar Mowatt, Nathon Allen, Navasky Anderson, Nigel Ellis, O’Dayne Richards, Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell, Rasheed Dwyer, Roje Stona, Romaine Beckford, Shawn-D Thompson, Traves Smikle.