Top 11 Jamaican Track and Field Athletes

In 1948, Jamaica sent its first track and field team to the London Olympics. The scene was for the country’s future dominance on the world stage. The team won Jamaica's first Olympic medals, including a silver in the 400 meters by Herb McKenley and a bronze in the 4x400 meters relay. As the Jamaican Olympian team sets off for Paris 2024, we recap the best Jamaican Olympians from Track and Field.

In the time it takes Usain Bolt to run the 100 meters, you could send 3 Digicel or Flow top-ups to Jamaica. Fast, convenient, and secure.

Usain Bolt

• Birthplace: Sherwood Content, Trelawny, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay

• World Records: 100 meters (9.58 seconds), 200 meters (19.19 seconds)

• Olympic Medals: 8 gold, 2 silver

• World Championships: 11 gold, 2 silver

Usain Bolt regarded as the greatest sprinter ever, revolutionized track and field with his record-breaking speed and charismatic personality. He burst onto the global scene at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning three gold medals and setting world records in the 100m and 200m. Bolt's iconic "lightning bolt" pose and playful demeanour endeared him to fans worldwide.

At the 2012 London Olympics, Bolt became the first man to win consecutive Olympic titles in the 100m and 200m, also setting a world record in the 4x100m relay with Team Jamaica. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, he achieved a "triple-triple," winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay again, cementing his legendary status.

Bolt dominated the World Championships with 11 gold medals and set unbroken world records in the 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m (19.19 seconds) in 2009. Off the track, his charismatic personality and philanthropy made him a global ambassador for the sport, particularly in his native Jamaica.

Bolt co-founded Tracks & Records, a Jamaican-themed restaurant chain, blending sports bar ambience with traditional cuisine, celebrating his legacy. With Ding, you can send digital gift cards for Tracks & Records to family and friends in Jamaica.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

• Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay

• World Records: 100-meter relay (41.02 seconds)

• Olympic Medals: 3 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze

• World Championships: 10 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, known as the "Pocket Rocket" due to her petite stature and explosive speed, is one of the most decorated female sprinters in history. Standing at just 5 feet tall, her dynamic starts and powerful finishes have made her a dominant force in the 100 meters and 200 meters.

Fraser-Pryce's journey to greatness began at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the Kingston native blazed to victory in the 100 meters, becoming the first Caribbean woman to achieve this remarkable feat. She continued her dominance by successfully defending her title at the 2012 London Olympics, proving her consistency and exceptional talent.

Her legacy extends far beyond the Olympic stage. At the World Championships, Fraser-Pryce has amassed an impressive collection of 10 gold medals, including four in the 100 meters and one in the 200 meters, solidifying her status as a sprinting legend.

In 2017 Fraser-Pryce announced that she was pregnant and wouldn’t be defending her title at the 2017 World Championships. Despite speculation that she would then retire, she made a triumphant comeback, winning gold in the 100 meters at the 2019 World Championships.

She will also be taking part in the 2024 Paris Olympics, running in the 100-meter and 100-meter relay. In what will be her final games, Fraser-Pryce is nursing an injury following her early withdrawal at a meet in Switzerland before the games.

Today she supports many charities and is a Digicel Ambassador. With Ding, you can send top-ups back home to Digicel prepay customers and talk with friends and family about the 2024 Jamaican Olympic medal haul.

Herb McKenley

• Birthplace: Pleasant Valley, Clarendon, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 4x400 meters relay

• Olympic Medals: 1 gold, 3 silver

In every way a trailblazer, Herb McKenley was one of the first Jamaican Olympians, narrowly missing out on gold in the 400 meters at the 1948 London Olympics.

At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where he again took silver in the 100 meters and 400 meters. McKenley played a pivotal role in Jamaica's first Olympic gold medal, winning the 400-meter relay.

After retiring from competitive athletics, McKenley dedicated himself to coaching and mentoring the next generation of Jamaican athletes. Beyond inspiring the likes of Usain Bolt, he served as a coach and administrator for the Jamaican national team, coaching future Olympic champions and shaping the nation's sporting infrastructure.

Natoya Goule-Toppin

• Birthplace: Manchester, Jamaica

• Events: 800-meters

• Olympics: Competed in 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo

Natoya Goule-Toppin is one of Jamaica's premier middle-distance runners, specializing in the 800 meters. Known for her exceptional speed, stamina, and tactical racing skills, Goule-Toppin has made a significant impact on the international track and field scene.

We're extremely excited about Goule's chances for an 800-meter medal in the Paris Olympics. Jamaica has never won a women's 800-meter medal or an 800-meter Olympic medal since silver in the men's event in 1968.

In 2023, Goule-Toppin joined as a Ding Ambassador, a perfect fit for us as her journey resonates with so many Jamaican diaspora in the Ding community.

Veronica Campbell-Brown

• Birthplace: Trelawny, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay

• Olympic Medals: 3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze

• World Championships: 3 gold, 7 silver, 1 bronze

Veronica Campbell-Brown is one of the most successful female sprinters in history, renowned for her impressive performances in the 100 meters and 200 meters. Her athletic career began at a young age, and she quickly rose to prominence representing Jamaica in international competition.

Her first taste of Olympic success came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as she won silver with the Jamaican 100-meter relay team. Campbell-Brown then won 200-meter gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, also taking bronze in the 100 meters. This was the first women’s sprint gold medal for Jamaica. She again won 200-meter gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making her only the second woman ever to win consecutive Olympic gold medals.

Beyond her track achievements, Campbell-Brown is known for her philanthropic efforts and dedication to youth causes, founding the Veronica Campbell-Brown Foundation in 2011.

Asafa Powell

• Birthplace: Spanish Town, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay

• Olympic Medals: 1 gold, 1 bronze

• World Championships: 2 gold, 3 bronze

Asafa Powell’s legacy is that of one of the fastest men in history, running at least 97 sub-10 runs. In 2005, Powell set a world record in the 100 meters with a time of 9.77 seconds.

He further lowered this record to 9.74 seconds in 2007, before this was broken by Bolt in 2008. Powell then took gold in the 100-meter relay at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

At the World Championships, Powell has two 100-meter relay gold medals from Berlin in 2009 and Beijing in 2015. He also Has a 2007 silver and Bronze from Osaka and a 2009 bronze from Berlin.

Merlene Ottey

• Birthplace: Hanover, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay

• Olympic Medals: 3 silver, 6 bronze

• World Championships: 3 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze

Jamaica’s most decorated athlete, Merlene Ottey spanned three decades of elite sport. Ottey's international career began at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where she won her first Olympic bronze medal in the 200 meters.

She went on to take part in multiple Olympic Games, collecting a total of nine medals, although she never captured an elusive gold. Her best Olympic finishes came with silver medals in the 200-meter and 100-meter relay at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Yohan Blake

• Birthplace: Hanover, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay

• World Records: 100 meters relay (36.84 seconds), 200 meters relay (1 minute 18.63 seconds)

• Olympic Medals: 3 silver, 6 bronze

• World Championships: 3 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze

One look at Yohan Blake and you’ll see how he earned the nickname of “The Beast”. Blake’s powerful physique and intense competitive nature have made him one of the fastest sprinters in history. While he trained alongside Usain Bolt, Blake was one of the best track and field stars in his own right.

Blake's breakthrough came at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, where he won gold in the 100 meters with a time of 9.92 seconds, becoming the youngest world champion in the event at 21 years old. He also secured gold as part of Jamaica's 100-meter200-meter relay team, which set a world record time of 37.04 seconds.

At the 2012 London Olympics, Blake played a crucial role in Jamaica's sprinting success. He won silver medals in both the 100 meters (9.75 seconds) and 200 meters (19.44 seconds), finishing behind Usain Bolt in both events. Additionally, he was part of the Jamaican 100-meter relay team that set a world record time of 36.84 seconds, earning him an Olympic gold medal.

Blake's personal best times of 9.69 seconds in the 100 meters and 19.26 seconds in the 200 meters, both set in 2012, rank him as the second-fastest man of all time in both events, only behind Usain Bolt.

Appreciating speed and convenience, Blake is also a Ding customer himself!

Elaine Thompson-Herah

• Birthplace: Manchester, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters relay

• World Records: 100-meter relay (41.02 seconds)

• Olympic Medals: 5 gold, 1 silver

• World Championships: 1 gold, 3 silver

Elaine Thompson-Herah is the fastest woman alive on the planet today. Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained earlier in 2024, she will not represent Jamaica at the Paris Olympics. Her calibre will certainly be missed. Thompson-Herah exploded onto the scene with performances at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, where she won a silver medal in the 200 meters, and a gold in the 100 meters relay.

This set her up nicely for success in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil. Here she won individual gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints, taking silver in the 100-meter relay. 4 years later in Tokyo, she won another gold medal in the 200 meters, making her only the third woman to win consecutive gold in the competition, joining Veronica Campbell-Brown. At the same games, she also added another gold as part of the Jamaican 100-meter relay winning team.

Today, Campbell-Brown is an ambassador for Flow, a Jamaican telecoms company. You can send top-up to Flow Jamaica with Ding, from anywhere in the world, in a matter of seconds

Don Quarrie

• Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

• Events: 100 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters relay

• Olympic Medals: 1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze

Quarrie first gained international attention in the early 1970s and became a dominant force in the sprints, particularly the 200 meters. The pinnacle of his career came at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where he won gold in the 200 meters and silver in the 100 meters.

This was significant for Quarrie, but also for the Jamaican Olympics effort overall as this gold was the country’s first Olympic gold medal in a sprint event.

Omar McLeod

• Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

• Events: 110 meters hurdles

• Olympic Medals: 1 gold

• World Championships: 1 gold

Omar McLeod is a renowned Jamaican hurdler and he has established himself as one of the top hurdlers in the world. His typical performances include explosive starts and smooth technique over the hurdles.

McLeod’s big sporting moment came at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Here, McLeod won gold in the 110-meter hurdles, becoming the first Jamaican to win an Olympic gold medal in this event.

Jamaica’s Medal Hopefuls in Paris 2024

Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Kishane Thompson is arguably Jamaica’s best shot at individual Olympic gold on the track. He’ll be competing in the individual 100-meter and 100-meter relay. Shericka Jackson is also a massive medal hopeful but will face stiff opposition from the USA’s Sha'Carri Richardson.

Away from the track, Jamaica also has massive chances of a gold medal thanks to Jaydon Hibbert (Triple Jump), Shanieka Ricketts (Triple Jump) and Danniel Thomas-Dodd (Shot Put). These athletes have shown excellent performance, coming into peak form at the right time to give Jamaicans plenty of things to shout about while watching the Paris Olympics.

Jamaican 2024 Olympic Team

The Jamaican women’s team is:

• 100 meters: Tia Clayton, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson

• 200 meters: Niesha Burgher, Shericka Jackson, Lanae-Tava Thomas

• 400 meters: Junelle Bromfield, Nickisha Pryce, Stacey Ann Williams

• 800 meters: Natoya Goule-Toppin, Adelle Tracey

• 1500 meters: Adelle Tracey

• 100-meter hurdles: Janeek Brown, Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams

• 400-meter hurdles: Rushell Clayton, Janieve Russell, Shiann Salmon

• High jump: Lamara Distin

• Long jump: Chanice Porter, Ackelia Smith

• Triple jump: Shanieka Ricketts, Ackelia Smith, Kimberly Williams

• Shot put: Lloydricka Cameron, Danniel Thomas-Dodd

• Discus: Samantha Hall

• Hammer: Nayoka Clunis

• 100-meter relay: Tia Clayton, Shashalee Forbes, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson

• 400-meter relay: Junelle Bromfield, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Nickisha Pryce and Stacey Ann Williams

The Jamaican men’s team is:

• 100 meters: Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville, Kishane Thompson

• 200 meters: Andrew Hudson, Bryan Levell

• 400 meters: Sean Bailey, Jevaughn Powell, Deandre Watkin

• 800 meters: Navasky Anderson

• 110-meter hurdles: Orlando Bennett, Rasheed Broadbell and Hansle Parchment

• 400-meter hurdles: Roshawn Clarke, Jaheel Hyde, Malik James-King

• High jump: Romaine Beckford

• Long jump: Tajay Gayle, Carey McLeod, Wayne Pinnock

• Triple jump: Jaydon Hibbert, Jordan Scott

• Shot put: Rajindra Campbell

• Discus: Ralford Mullings, Traves Smikle and Roje Stona

• 100-meter relay: Ackeem Blake, Jehlani Gordon, Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson

There will also be a team competing in the 400-meter mixed relay. That team includes Zandrian Barnes, Raheem Hayles, Andrenette Knight and Ashley Williams.

Are you excited about Jamaica’s gold medal hopes? Send a top-up to family and friends back home and have a chat about it. Or send them a grocery eGift so they can buy some snacks for an evening of supporting Team Jamaica.