Jamaica’s track and field ride took a bumpy turn at the National Stadium last weekend, but the thrills continued unabated at the STETHS Invitational. While the Queens Grace Jackson Meet saw a technical snafu delay the results of the Class 3 Girls 400m, the STETHS Invitational delivered a smorgasbord of electrifying performances on the grass.

Queens Grace Jackson: A Glitch in the Crown Jewel

The prestigious Queens Grace Jackson Meet, a celebration of female athletic excellence, was marred by a tech hiccup that left fans and athletes alike hanging. The first nine timed finals of the Class 3 Girls 400m saw their results vanish into thin air, neither displayed on the finish line clock nor uploaded to the online platform.

Gone were the usual timely updates from World Class Athletics, the meet’s event management company and the user-friendly interface of the Roster Athletics platform fans had come to rely on. Bruce James, head of World Class Athletics, found himself fielding calls about the missing results, a stark contrast to the smooth operation we’ve come to expect.

A Needle in the Haystack: The Culprit Exposed

An investigation revealed a tangled mess of data cables connecting the results room to the timing equipment at the finish line. Imagine searching for a needle in a haystack, only this haystack held the fate of crucial race results. The picture of the “Hot Mess” cables speaks volumes about the unexpected challenge faced by the World Class Athletics team.

Tangled mess of data cables

Garbage in data cable junction. Wires filthy and corroded. A veritable “Hot Mess”.

Forced to improvise, the team stationed themselves near the finish line, connecting directly to a backup camera until the problem was finally solved by the first timed final of the Class 2 Girls 400m. While the delay threw a wrench in the schedule, the resourceful World Class Athletics team, true to their name, got things back on track, even finishing ahead of schedule by the meet’s midpoint.

Lessons Learned, Cables Fixed, Onward We Go

World Class Athletics has informed organizers of upcoming meets about the cable issue, and the National Stadium should implement a permanent fix. For those eager to see the delayed results and relive the action, head over to https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/schedule?id=24649.

STETHS Invitational: Grassroots Glory Under the Western Sun

Meanwhile, in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, the STETHS Invitational painted a vibrant picture of track and field on the grass. Young athletes, fueled by passion and determination, delivered electrifying performances across various events. The raw energy and talent on display were a testament to the depth and potential of Jamaican track and field, even beyond the confines of the National Stadium.

For a taste of the STETHS Invitational magic and to see the full results, visit https://meetresults.athleticsja.org/fortis-timing/steths2024/.

The Queens Grace Jackson Meet may have had a technical hiccup, but the indomitable spirit of Jamaican track and field shone through. And the STETHS Invitational proved that the talent and passion for the sport run deep, regardless of the venue. So, buckle up, track and field fans, because the ride is far from over!