National Stadium Track Certified by World Athletics

You know the National Stadium in Jamaica as the iconic venue hosting the country's biggest sporting events. But did you know its track was missing a crucial stamp of approval? That's all changed now, thanks to Sport Minister Olivia Grange.

“I now have the duty to quote from a correspondence which we recently received from World Athletics. The message included some technical language, but I will just read the sentence that we are all waiting to hear – ‘all synthetic surface field test measurements comply with World Athletics requirements’.”

The installation of the track was completed in March 2025, but its certification was pending. And what's the significance of the World Athletics certification? Well, according to Grange, this means that the record-setting times run on this modern track will now be fully recognized.

The National Stadium track's certification comes after Sport Minister Olivia Grange's contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. This development is a boost to Jamaica's athletics scene, with top athletes now set to reap the benefits of a world-standard track.

For those who may not be aware, Sport Minister Olivia Grange has been instrumental in the country's sports development, particularly in athletics. With her leadership, the National Stadium has received a face-lift, making it one of the top venues for track and field events in the Caribbean.

Olivia Grange was elected as a member of parliament in 2002 and later became the Minister of Education in 2011. She took on the role of Minister of Sports in 2016, a position she has held until today.

The National Stadium's certification is significant not just for Jamaica but also for the entire Caribbean region. With its world-class facilities, athletes from across the region can now compete at the highest level, pushing each other to achieve greatness.

The newly certified track is set to host several high-profile events, including the World Athletics Championships. And what does this mean for the athletes? For starters, they can now aim for world-standard records, knowing that their times will be recognized globally.

The National Stadium track is not just a venue; it's a symbol of Jamaica's pride and its love for athletics. With its certification, the country takes another step towards greatness, inspiring the next generation of athletes to follow in the footsteps of the legends who've come before.