Seville plans ‘special’ debut

JAMAICAN SPRINT sensation Oblique Seville has promised a special performance for track and field fans after signing on to four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track (GST) series set to debut at the National Stadium in April next year.

Seville and Jamaica women’s 400m national champion Nickisha Pryce are the latest athletes to be announced as Racers in the four slam series inaugural season.

The duo will join fellow compatriots Ackera Nugent, Roshawn Clarke and Rushell Clayton in the growing lists of elite athletes signed to compete throughout the competition.

Speaking with The Gleaner in an exclusive interview, Seville said he is excited to be involved in the GST series debut season.

“I’m very happy knowing that this is the first year starting it and I am a part of it. Funny enough, I’ve never run at any Diamond League race before and to run at the Grand Slam is something special for me.”

He added, “I guess in terms of funds, the Grand Slam pays more and I think athletes will want to head towards this direction and for me to be a part of it, it is something that is special for me.”

Seville, who holds a personal best of 9.81 seconds in the men’s 100 metres, stands as one of the best athletes in his discipline.

The 23-year-old sprinter has remained among the top-10 sprinters in the world since 2022, falling to sixth at his lowest.

With the GST series to debut at the National Stadium on April 4 and continue through to April 6, he promises to deliver a world-class performance for his home support.

“Earlier this year, I ran at the Racers Grand Prix and the support that I have gotten from the Jamaican fans is always something special,” he said.

“Knowing that the Grand Slam is going to be held in Jamaica, it shows this is something special for me, again, because running in front of your home crowd is something different than when you are running outside of your country. It gives you this extra boost to win because there is no other option but to win.”

Seville said the decision by GST to open their competition in Jamaica is proof of the attention the country’s track and field prowess has garnered from the world.

He is confident local fans will turn out in their numbers to support the competition as he feels it could be a positive boost for Jamaica’s beloved sport.

“I think it will help the country internationally in that it will bring more attention towards track and field in Jamaica. I think fans will turn out to support us because we always give them good performances,” he explained.

“For track and field to get that recognition knowing that the Grand Slam will be the first major event to be hosted at National Stadium next year, it will be a something good for the country and really beneficial.”

The GST series will consist of four stops across the calendar year, with Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles the confirmed host cities.

The event will be spread across six event categories, short sprints, short hurdles, long sprints, long hurdles, short distance, and long distance.

The GST series will consist of 96 athletes competiting across all categories, with 48 athletes, designed as Racers, set to compete in all four Slams throughout the year.

The remaining 48 athletes will be designated GST Challengers and will be paid a set appearance fee for each Slam.