KINGSTON, Jamaica — One of the featured events at the 2019 Jamaica National Championships, the women’s 100m hurdles was scratched on Sunday’s fourth and final day after confusion.
Danielle Williams, the defending national champion was singled out for a false start, but refused to leave the track in protest, which delayed the start of the event for a lengthy period.
In fact, Williams was shown the exit card more than once before she was persuaded to leave by a Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) member.
When the race was finally sent off for a second time, there were more confusions, as several popping sounds were heard coming from the stands, which forced the starter to recall the athletes for again.
However, more than three hurdlers run at least six flights of barriers, while an unaware Brown finished the entire.
Following another discussion, the officials decided to re-run the women’s race 45 minutes after the men’s 110m, but the entire event was scratched completely when three athletes reported that were injured and wouldn’t face the starter.
The incident leaves the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association in an unique situation, as the local governing body will now meet sometime this week to decide the three women who will represent the country at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, in three months.
Meanwhile, the men’s 110m hurdles race was won by Commonwealth Games champion Ronald Levy, who ran 13.23 seconds.
Orlando Bennett ran 13.27 seconds for second place and third went to Andrew Riley in 13.33 secs.
Elsewhere, O’Dayne Richards won his sixth straight national title in the men’s Shot Put with an effort of 19.93m, while Shanieka Ricketts retained her women’s Triple Jump with a leap of 14.73m ahead of Kimberly Williams (14.39m) and Shardia Lawrence (13.83m).
Looking back now on this report, one wonders why there was any doubt that Danielle Williams could be chosen. Even though she had false started, the fact that the race was scratched must have meant that her disqualification must also have been scratched. Anyway, all’s well that ends well. Happy to know she is now eligible for selection. Good move JAAA!