Report: Jamaica's major athletics meet cancelled due to financial challenges

Ahead of the 2026 outdoor athletics season, athletes and fans will not enjoy the excitement of a major meet in Jamaica, following its cancellation as announced by the organizers.

According to reports, the annual prestigious Racers Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet which would have marked its eighth staging, was called off due to funding challenges, making it impossible to stage it properly.

The event, which was always one of the first competitions to kick off the outdoor season, typically featured various international and elite stars competing against home-based Jamaican athletes.

Last year, Olympic and world silver medallist Kishane Thompson raced to the joy of the home crowd to win the men's 100m race in a brilliant Season's Best (SB) of 9.88s. Compatriot Oblique Seville was second in 9.97s, while South Africa's young duo of Gift Leotlela and Bayanda Walaza were third and fourth respectively in 10.04s and 10.06s.

In the women's category, Tina Clayton also delighted her home crowd with a notable win in a new Season's Best (SB) of 10.98s. She defeated her twin sister Tina Clayton, who held off USA's Jacious Sears in 11.04s, while Alana Reid was third in 11.14s.

Nigeria's hurdling queen Tobi Amusan, who stepped down from her trademark event, the 100mH, recorded an impressive SB of 11.18s to finish fourth.

Both Thompson and Clayton went ahead to win silver medals in their respective events at the World Championships in Tokyo. At the same time, Seville became the world champion - Jamaica's first men's 100m gold medallist since Usain Bolt.