KINGSTON, Jamaica (June 3) — Some of the world’s top athletes, including world champions Shericka Jackson, Noah Lyles, and Tobi Amusan, have been confirmed for the 2023 Racers Grand Prix. The meet is part of the 2023 World Athletics Continental Tour Silver series, and it will mark the first event held since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lyles looking to light-up Kingston in the 200m?
Noah Lyles, who holds the American record in the 200m, is hoping to defend his world title in the event after clocking a blistering 19.31 seconds at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon last summer, and he will be using the Racers Grand Prix as part of his preparations.
The time posted by the 25-year-old in Eugene, last year, also made him the third-fastest performer of all time, behind Jamaicans Usain Bolt, the world record holder, at 19.19 secs, and Yohan Blake, at 19.26.
READ MORE: What are Noah Lyles splits for the 19.31secs? – World Athletics Championships 2022
Jackson seeks to continue sparkling form
Meanwhile, Shericka Jackson will be seeking to build on her success from last season in yet another busy campaign and like Lyles, she will be using the Racers Grand Prix to prepare for the Budapest world championships.
The Jamaican was in sparkling form in 2022 on her way to winning several high-profile races, including winning the world title in the 200m with a time of 21.45 seconds. Jackson is the second-fastest woman in history in the event, behind world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner.
Amusan Aims to Build on Success
Tobi Amusan, who shattered the women’s 100m hurdles world record at Oregon22 with a time of 12.12 seconds, will also be in attendance in Kingston, and the Nigerian star sprint hurdler will also be aiming to deliver something special to fans at the National Stadium.
Amusan, who is coached by Jamaican Lacena Golding-Clarke, will be looking to build on her success from last season where she ran eight times at 12.50 secs or faster, en route to surpassing the previous record of 12.20 seconds, set by USA’s Kendra Harrison in 2016.
Top Athletes to Participate in the Racers Grand Prix
The announcement was made during a media launch where organizers confirmed the participation of other top athletes, including former Olympic and World 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk, Olympic 100m bronze medalist Megan Tapper, and Olympic 110 hurdles champion Hansle Parchment.
The World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event promises to be exciting as it showcase some of the world’s best international athletes competing along some of the top locals from Jamaica.
