The greatest sprinter Jamaica — and arguably the world — has ever produced is Usain Bolt, who grew up in Trelawny parish. Bolt set world records in both the 100 metres (9.58 seconds) and 200 metres (19.19 seconds) that still stand today. He won eight Olympic gold medals and became the first athlete to hold world records in both sprint distances at the same time.
But Jamaica's sprint tradition goes far beyond Bolt. Merlene Ottey was one of the world's great female sprinters for decades, winning nine Olympic medals. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has won multiple Olympic gold medals and world titles. Elaine Thompson-Herah set a new women's 100m world record in 2021.
The Inter-Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Championships — known as 'Champs' — is a track and field competition held every year in Kingston. It is one of the most exciting sporting events in Jamaica, where school children race against each other watched by enormous, passionate crowds. Many Olympic champions first showed their talent at Champs.
Jamaicans believe their love of sprinting comes from a culture that has always valued speed, hard work, and determination. Every child who lines up at a school sports day in Jamaica dreams of being the next Usain Bolt.