2025 continues to be a year of surprises and upsets. After all, in just one weekend, we saw the unraveling of two titans of track and field. But while Team USA managed to get some sense of consolation at the World relays, for Jamaica, the misery continues. And the fans have been left straight-up speechless by this whole ordeal. But who could’ve thought that Guangzhou would see both the men’s and the women’s teams fail miserably? And to add to their fumbled passes and missed opportunities, something deeper is squirming.
Yes, if you thought that the relay baton shenanigans with Kishane Thompson would be the end of it, then you were mistaken. But what has truly inflamed the public isn’t just the losses. It’s the glaring silence and lack of accountability from those in charge. Fans aren’t mourning defeat as much as they’re enraged by a pattern of poor management, neglect, and a system that appears to be exploiting athletes rather than supporting them.
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) is under fire, with supporters accusing it of failing to prepare teams properly, provide adequate recovery and care, and communicate with the public after repeated failures. The feeling is growing. Jamaica’s sprinting crisis isn’t about talent. It’s about leadership. It all started with Julian Forte’s injury in the men’s 4x100m relay.
In the second round of qualifying, Forte collapsed while attempting a baton pass to Yohan Blake, ending Jamaica’s hopes of qualifying for the World Championships in Tokyo. The night before, a similar miscue. Again involving Forte and Blake, led to a dropped baton and another ‘did not finish.’ Fans watched in disbelief as the nation’s biggest talent, Kishane Thompson, never got a chance to run.
Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Image Credit: X)
On the women’s side, a record-breaking run by Spain embarrassed Jamaica’s decorated squad. And still. No word from the authorities. Behind these defeats is a larger concern. Are Jamaica’s athletes being given what they need to succeed? Fans argue that the top sprinters are becoming increasingly reluctant to participate. Not out of fear, but frustration.
Many believe the system is rigged in favor of certain officials and coaches who benefit from the team’s success, while the athletes themselves are overworked, underprepared, and unsupported. Criticism is particularly fierce toward coaches seen as outdated or ineffective, and there’s a growing sentiment that unless things change, the glory days may be over.
What fans want isn’t just victory. They want transparency, change, and respect for the athletes who sacrifice their bodies and futures for the sport. They’re calling for boycotts, for answers, and for leadership that doesn’t hide behind silence. Jamaica’s sprinting pride was built on excellence. Now, it’s being buried under mismanagement. And the people are no longer willing to watch quietly. And taking the narrative forward, the fans are fuming on social media.
Fans hit back at management after Jamaica fumbles
As soon as the news went viral, fans flocked to the comment section to express their views. JAAA’s silence after the Guangzhou fiasco has deeply unsettled fans. One described the lack of response as “not showing up and not making a public statement is sub-par and disgusting!” — pointing to the federation’s failure to even acknowledge the errors that kept Kishane Thompson off the track.
The outrage is rooted in the feeling that leaders are evading responsibility while fans demand answers. After two high-profile relay failures involving Julian Forte and Yohan Blake, a fan noted, “Paris was a disaster, and we have not gotten a press conference, official report, or any formal communication from the JAAA.” This highlights a pattern of consistent mismanagement and secrecy.
With no updates or plans shared, fans fear that “Jamaica’s track and field will face dark days ahead.” Anger toward selective accountability is mounting. A fan remarked, “I bet if Jamaica had won 6 golds this weekend, EVERYONE of those members would be available for an interview.” The comment underscores the perception that JAAA officials only show up for glory, not for damage control, fueling suspicions of opportunism and neglect when things fall apart.
Calls for action are turning into direct protest. “People, we as the public should not show up for any track and field events that the JAAA is putting on,” one fan urged, citing the federation’s refusal to engage with supporters. The suggestion to boycott national trials signals a tipping point where spectators no longer feel valued, only used.
Some are turning their frustration toward coaching standards. One commenter asserted, “You know what? These coaches in Jamaica, not Mills, can’t coach well; that goes for Francis and his team.” The blunt critique signals deep dissatisfaction with outdated methods, as fans connect technical relay errors and athlete withdrawal to systemic coaching failures and favoritism.
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