KINGSTON, Jamaica – The eighth staging of the JN Jamaica Invitational Meet, held at the National Stadium, last Saturday (May 7), was a success, says Howard Aris, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
The track and field event was attended by more than 27,000 spectators at the National Stadium and reached a potential audience of more than 160 million households in 25 countries around the world. The Meet was upgraded to World Challenge status since last year, attracting a powerful contingent of world class athletes.
“We are very pleased with the Meet,” Mr. Aris said in an interview at the close of the event. The President of the organizing body added that, “The performance of the athletes was quite good.”
Yohan Blake, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Nickel Ashmeade, Melaine Walker, Novelene Williams-Mills, Rosemarie Walker and Kaliese Spencer, were among those Jamaican athletes providing outstanding performances, while America’s Camelita Jeter and Chris Brown of the Bahamas were also notable in their events.
“It was a very competitive evening,” said Donald Quarrie, JAAA Executive and Athletes Liaison for the Meet. “We saw a lot of wonderful performances.”
Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce’s victory in the 200m, along with that of Nickel Ashmeade in the men’s event and Yohan Blake’s win the 100m, were highlights of the Meet. But, so was the performance of America’s Carmelita Jeter, who took the Women’s 100m in a new meet record of 10.86.
World and Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (right) wins the 100m at Saturday’s JN Jamaica Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston, on May 7. Veronica Campbell-Brown (left) finished second, while Shericka Williams took seventh spot.
The results of the Invitational show that Jamaica remains a prominent force to reckon with in athletics, Mr. Quarrie said. He added that this level of performance results in enhanced interest internationally because of its position on the track and field calendar.
Earl Jarrett (left), General Manager of the Jamaica National (JN) Building Society congratulates Carmelita Jeter of the United States after she won the women’s 100m race at the JN Jamaica Invitational Meet on Saturday, May 7 at the National Stadium. Looking on is Jamaica’s Opposition Leader, Portia Simpson-Miller.
“The Meet was broadcast to millions of households around the world and I think Jamaica got a great boost from this,” said Earl Jarrett, General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society. The Society is in the second of a three-year Title Sponsorship Agreement with the JAAA.
“As investors in the event we are proud of what our partnership has achieved,” Mr. Jarrett said. “We can all feel proud of the professional management of the event, our athletes and our people.”
“It was excellent,” Hon Olivia Grange, Minister of Youth, Sport & Culture said, in summarising the event.
Members of the audience show their appreciation for their champions.
The athletes were running on a new track, in events organized by teams of volunteers, with the support of the Ministry, the JAAA, the Sports Development Foundation, Independence Park Limited, Jamaica National and the other sponsoring bodies.
“There were some upsets and there were some surprises; but… the spirit of competition was great and the audience loved it,” the Minister stated. “They enjoyed every minute of the event.”
“We were equal to the task, following the upgrade to a World Challenge Meet,” she said. The JN Jamaica Invitational got World Challenge Meet designation this year, placing it just one step below top ranked Diamond League status.
“We are working towards being upgraded to the Diamond League and I know we will achieve it,” Minister Grange declared. “I think the potential is awesome.”
Earl Jarrett (left), General Manager of the Jamaica National (JN) Building Society speaks with Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange (centre), Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and Garry Peal, Jamaica Track and Field Training Camp Coordinator at the Birmingham City Council.
Howard Aris, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), addresses the audience at the National Stadium, while Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange (centre), Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and Earl Jarrett (left), General Manager of the Jamaica National Building Society review the programme of activities.
