Bolt headlines 63-member team to Rio Olympics

Andre Lowe, Special Projects Editor – Sport

He still has to prove his fitness but Usain Bolt leads Jamaica's 63-member team to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Bolt, who had to cut his appearance at the Olympic trials short due to a hamstring injury, was listed as one of four athletes in the 100m and 200m. The six-time Olympics gold medal winner received a medical exemption, as allowed by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) selection policy, and is expected to make the final list of three, if he proves he has regained his fitness at the July 22 London Diamond League.

The final adjustments and selections for events will be done on August 10, 2016.

With 59 athletes selected for track and field, this will be Jamaica's largest ever athletics contingent in athletics with 41 of those set to appear at their first Olympic Games.

Other track and field heavyweights include Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (100m and 4x100m); Elaine Thompson (100m, 200m, 4x100m); Yohan Blake (100m, 200m, 4x100m); Veronica Campbell-Brown (200m, 100m, 4x100m); Omar McLeod (110m hurdles); Hansle Parchment (110m hurdles); O'Dayne Richards (shot put).

Jamaica will also be historically represented in gymnastics by Toni-Ann Williams, with Alia Atkinson and Timothy Wynter representing in swimming and Yona-Knight Wisdom in diving.

Experienced administrator and first Vice-President of the Jamaica Olympic Association Vishu Tolan was announced as the Chef de Mission for the team.