Government in receipt of World Athletics Class One certificate for National Stadium Track

Independence Park Limited and the Government of Jamaica are now in receipt of the official certification from World Athletics confirming that the island's National Stadium Track is certified as a Class One Facility.

A copy of the certificate, seen by The Gleaner, indicates that the facility, which was re-topped by track manufacturer Rekortan between February 26 and March 3 last year, is certified for five years from June 2026 to March 2031.

The synthetic surface product on the certificate is listed as Rekortan and REGUPOL Germany.

The certification means that records and qualifying performances achieved on the track will now be officially recognised.

On June 30, Sports Minister Olivia Grange announced during her contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate that the facility was certified by World Athletics.

However, on August 11 Opposition spokesman on Sports, Wavell Hinds, raised questions as to whether the track was actually certified after Jamaica was not included among the list of countries with World Athletics-certified facilities published on August 7.

Minister Grange, responding to TVJ Sports that evening, reasoned that the delay might have been caused by administrative issues on the part of World Athletics.

- Kayon Raynor

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