JAAA cites scheduling clash, not airfare row, for Oblique Seville's World Relays pullout
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has pushed back against media accounts suggesting that reigning men's 100m World Champion Oblique Seville pulled out of the upcoming World Athletics Relays because of a row over airfare.
Seville had been named in the Jamaican squad for the men's 4x100m relay at the meet, but later removed himself from the team. Several reports tied that decision to a disagreement with the JAAA over who would cover the cost of his ticket.
In a release issued yesterday, the governing body said no such disagreement ever took place.
"We have seen comments from sections of the media stating that arising from a dispute between the JAAA and Oblique Seville regarding the price of his ticket, it has resulted in the athlete having to withdraw from Jamaica's team to the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana," the JAAA statement read. "This is factually inaccurate…. There was never an impasse between agents acting on behalf of Oblique Seville and the JAAA regarding payment for travel tickets."
According to the association, the real issue was a clash in Seville's calendar that could not be ironed out before the championships. The sprinter's camp needed him back in Miami by a particular date to honour a contractual commitment, and the earliest available return flight did not line up with that deadline.
"There was an issue regarding the earliest date that he could return to Miami in order to meet a contractual obligation," the JAAA stated. "His agent was advised that the earliest possible date on available flights that would allow him to return to Miami was on May 5, 2026, after midday. We therefore could not guarantee an earlier return."
The JAAA added: "On April 21, we received a written notice from Oblique's manager, Norman Peart, of the withdrawal of Oblique Seville from the World Relays Team." Peart's letter also indicated that Seville remains available for future national selection.
Seville is not alone in stepping away from the trip to Botswana. World 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson, Roshawn Clarke and Tajh Marques-White have also been pulled from the squad.
The World Relays will be staged at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone on May 2 and 3.
Syndicated from Jamaica Gleaner · originally published .