Janieve Russell will run the women’s 400m hurdles at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, according to officials from the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
Russell, the third fastest one-lap obstacle runner in the world this year, missed the Jamaica Trials, but was given until Monday, August 8th to prove her fitness.
The Gleaner quoted Jamaica’s track and field team manager Ludlow Watts as saying. “She is certified fit. She will compete.”
On Monday, Russell name was missing from the IAAF entry list with the world’s governing body’s communication director, Anna Legnani, confirming to the Gleaner that she was not entered for the event.
However, Vishu Tolan, chef de mission of Jamaica’s contingent at the Olympic Games, explained the situation.
Tolan said the entry system for the 400m hurdles asked for only three names, unlike the sprints where four people were entered.
The three names entered were Ristananna Tracey, Leah Nugent and Kaliese Spencer.
Despite that, however, he said: “We were also able to submit an alternate athlete, which would have been Janieve Russell, based in the JAAA submission to us that she had received a medical exemption.”
Teams have up to 24 hours before an event to make their final submission.
