Tracey wants Wilson to be replaced as technical leader
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Two-time national champion Tyquendo Tracey has called for Maurice Wilson to be replaced as the technical leader of the Jamaican senior team following last week’s controversy over selection for the men’s 4x100m team at the World Athletics Championships.
Tracey, who was fifth in the men’s 100m at the national championships in early July, had lashed out against Wilson over the inclusion of Kadrion Goldson in the relay pool ahead of him.
Goldson, who had placed seventh at the national championships, is part of Wilson’s training camp based at GC Foster Sports College.
In a video posted online, Tracey made accusations of bias against the technical leader.
“To be honest, with everything that is coming forward, I would really appreciate and I would really love if the necessary party would really take a deep look into this and know that this man really needs to be replaced and get somebody who is and who will be non-biased when it comes to making certain decision,” Tracey told the Jamaica Observer.
“Because, as you will see going forward, with more and more people coming out to speak, both present and past athletes, you will see that this is not just happening. No, this is not the first time,” he added.
When contacted, Wilson, who has indicated that he will be seeking legal advice, declined to respond to Tracey’s call for him to be replaced.
Despite a meeting between Tracey and members of the team management, Tracey insists he is not backing down from his stance.
“One hundred per cent, I haven’t changed my mind on the situation. I mean, you’ve clearly seen that he felt the need to pull his athlete from the team or which maybe he’s going to say is the [relays] coach who decided to not run his athlete in the team based on what is going on. And if you didn’t feel that you did something wrong, why would you not run an athlete who we firmly believe should have been in a team?”
Tracey said he was happy with the bronze medal-winning team of Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville, Ryiem Forde, and Rohan Watson.
“I said it from early on, as long as them four man deh run, I am fine with it. They deserve their spot, they were ahead of me. I saw where it could have been a little bit better, the changes weren’t how we are used to seeing them. If you look back on past Jamaican 4x100m relay teams, you will see the guys trying to get the baton changed in full flight and with most of the changes I can see they got the baton mid zone so they did not get that high speed exchange, that’s the only thing, [but] the medal is awesome.
“I am really happy for them, really glad they got something out of it regardless of everything that was going on. I hope that they didn’t feel pressured by what was going on with me. But, as you can see, that went on here and they did well. I’m very happy for that.”
Despite his role in the relay team selection furore during the championships, he said he has plans for next season and the Olympic Games.
“I’m just sitting down doing a plan of action as to training and getting ready for next season. If anything else should pop up in the meantime, I mean, people will know.
“But outside of that, right now I’m just working, focusing on myself for next year. Because I mean, next year is really, really important. You know, guys, when it comes to Olympics, everybody comes with their A-plus game,” he said.