JAAA taps Douglas and Card as flag-bearers for World U20 Championships

Jamaica’s contingent for the World Under-20 Championships will be led by Shanoya Douglas and Gary Card, the current global pacesetters over 100 metres. The meet runs August 5-9 in Eugene, Oregon.

The Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) executive confirmed the roster yesterday. Douglas sits atop the women’s world 100m list at 10.98 seconds and also heads the local 200m standings with 22.11 seconds. She captains an 18-strong women’s group and is down to run both flat sprints.

At the 2024 edition in Lima, Peru, Douglas finished third in the 200m before moving up to silver when Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands — then second — was stripped of her place after a doping case.

Card holds the Jamaican junior national record in the men’s 100m at 9.93 seconds and leads the world at that distance. His 200m personal best of 20.28 seconds places him fourth globally, and he is entered for that race as well. He is one of 29 men chosen for the trip.

Also inside the world top five in their disciplines are Tiana Marshall, fourth in the women’s 100m hurdles at 12.98 seconds, and Joseph Salmon, second in the men’s discus at 58.83 metres.

Four years after collecting five medals in Lima — four gold and one silver — and placing fourth overall, Jamaica aims to better that haul.

The JAAA listed reserves who will join the travelling party only if either of the top two athletes in a given event cannot compete before the squad leaves.