The 2024 Jamaican Track and Field Olympic Trials will be held at the National Stadium in Kingston from 27-30 June, with athletes out to secure selection for the Paris 2024 Games.
Olympic champions Shericka Jackson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Omar McLeod are some of the country’s top stars competing. All are expected to be among the top three finishers in their respective events, to give them a spot on the plane to Paris.
The women’s 100m event should be fascinating, with Jackson and Fraser-Pryce tipped to earn the right to compete in that distance at the Olympics in August.
Oblique Seville, has no plans on slowing down after becoming Jamaica's fastest man over 100m after beating the world champion Noah Lyles at the same stadium where he lines up to chase the Olympic ticket starting on Thursday.
Here’s what you need to know.
Athletes to watch at the Jamaican Olympic Trials for Paris 2024
Jackson is tipped to clinch the national sprints double for a third time in a row, since dethroning Fraser-Pryce in both races in 2022.
The two-time 200m world champion, may have only raced once over the 100m this season, but she looks charged to upgrade her bronze from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021 and improve on her two world silvers.
On Thursday 27 June, Fraser-Pryce laces up for what could be her last National Championships, en route to her final Olympics. The triple Olympic gold medallist competed for the first time since August 2023 just a fortnight ago. She opened her season with an 11.15-second dash at a local 100m meeting in Kingston.
Thompson-Herah is another looking to make the Jamaican short sprint team after shaking off an injury she picked in her last event at the NYC Grand Prix.
But Jackson and Fraser-Pryce are the only ones of the top ranked Jamaican trio who will also lineup for the 200m, as Thompson-Herah will not defend her title in Paris.
The islanders should continue to parade their strong depth of talent with the likes of U20 100m world gold medallist Briana Williams on the entry list, alongside Alana Reid and twins Tia and Tina Clayton.
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The women’s sprints may hog the headlines, but the men’s dash is always one for the books. And it’s Seville topping the entry, thanks to his blazing 9.82 victory in his 100m season debut from the Racers Grand Prix where he edged out the 2024 US Olympic Trials winner Lyles. He is the nation’s best shot at a medal after his fourth-place finish at the 2022 and 2023 worlds.
We haven’t seen much of last year’s surprise champion Rohan Watson, but his presence at the National Stadium should excite the fans. Also worth keeping an eye on is experienced sprinter Julian Forte, who’s enjoying top shape, and Yohan Blake aiming for a fourth Olympic appearance.
“This one is special. It’s my last…I am ready to give my all one final time and savour every moment,” shared the 2011 world champion.
Jamaican sportsman of the year in 2023 Antonio Watson, the 400m world gold medal winner, hopes the pressure of being at the top can push him to reach his potential in Paris.
The 22-year-old should also be part of his team’s last attempt to secure their place in the 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics on Sunday 30 June, the final day to meet the qualifying standards for track and field athletes.
There should be some exciting action to witness in the throws and jumps at the National Stadium. In the men’s triple jump, eyes will be on Jaydon Hibbert, who’s targeting his first medal as a senior.
Shanieka Ricketts is tipped to retain her national triple jump title.
Danniel Thomas-Dodd and Rajindra Campbell, the Jamaican shot put record holders, will also expect to add more national titles.
Full schedule for the Jamaican Track and Field Paris 2024 Olympics Trials at the National Stadium, Kingston
Day One: 27 June
- 9:00am Men’s 100m heats
- 9:30am Men’s decathlon 100m
- 10:00am Men’s 400m heats
- 11:00am Men’s decathlon long jump finals
- 3:05pm Men’s decathlon shot put finals
- 4:00pm Women’s 800m heats
- 4:15pm Men’s 800m heats
- 4:35pm Men’s decathlon high jump finals
- 5:00pm Men’s 5000m finals
- 5:02pm Women’s long jump finals
- 5:50pm Women’s 400m hurdles heats
- 6:10pm Men’s 400m hurdles heats
- 6:45pm Men’s decathlon 400m finals
- 6:50pm Men’s 400m semi-finals
- 7:10pm Women’s high jump finals
- 8:20pm Women’s 100m heats
- 8:45pm Men’s 100m heats
Day Two: 28 June
- 9:30am Men’s decathlon 110m hurdles finals
- 11:00am Men’s decathlon discus throw finals
- 4:00pm Men’s decathlon pole vault finals
- 5:25pm Men’s 1500m finals
- 5:32pm Women’s 1500m finals
- 6:40pm Men’s high jump finals
- 6:55pm Women’s 400m hurdles finals
- 7:05pm Men’s 400m hurdles finals
- 7:10pm Women’s discus throw finals
- 7:50pm Women’s 100m semi-finals
- 7:57pm Men’s decathlon javelin throw finals
- 8:05pm Men’s 100m semi-finals
- 8:30pm Women’s 800m finals
- 8:40pm Men’s 800m finals
- 8:50pm Men’s 400m finals
- 9:15pm Men’s decathlon 1500m finals
- 9:45pm Women’s 100m finals
- 9:58pm Men’s 100m finals
Day Three: 29 June
- 9:10am Women’s heptathlon 100m hurdle finals
- 9:20am Men’s 200m heats
- 10:30am Women’s heptathlon high jump finals
- 3:25pm Women’s heptathlon shot put finals
- 4:20pm Women’s triple jump finals
- 4:32pm Men’s pole vault finals
- 4:55pm Women’s shot put finals
- 5:25pm Women’s 200m semi-finals
- 5:40pm Men’s 200m semi-finals
- 5:45pm Men’s long jump finals
- 5:50pm Men’s discus throw finals
- 5:58pm Women’s heptathlon 200m finals
- 6:25pm Women’s 100m hurdles heats
- 7:00pm Men’s 110m hurdles heats
- 7:30pm Women’s 400m semi-finals
Day Four: 30 June
- 10:00am Women’s hammer throw finals
- 11:00am Men’s hammer throw finals
- 11:15am Women’s heptathlon long jump finals
- 4:00pm Men’s triple jump finals
- 4:02pm Women’s heptathlon javelin finals
- 4:56pm Men’s javelin throw finals
- 5:05pm Men’s shot put finals
- 5:20pm Women’s 400m finals
- 5:30pm Women’s heptathlon 800m finals
- 6:12pm Women’s 100m hurdles finals
- 6:30pm Women’s javelin throw finals
- 6:34pm Men’s 110m hurdles finals
- 7:25pm Women’s 200m finals
- 7:32pm Men’s 200m finals
- 8:05pm Men’s 4X400M relay
How to watch the Jamaican Track and Field Paris 2024 Olympics Trials
Live coverage will be provided on the Jamaica Athletics website or by tuniing in to TVJ 1 Spotmedia via Pay-Per-View.
Please check your local listings to find out more information.
