Kishane Thompson Set for Debut as Jamaica Names Squad for 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has officially confirmed a 32-member delegation for the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, headlined by the much-anticipated indoor debut of Olympic 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson.

The event is scheduled to take place from March 20 to 22, 2026, in Toruń, Poland, at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena, a venue well-known for hosting the annual Copernicus Cup and the 2021 European Indoor Championships.

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After a breakout 2024 season that saw him come within 0.005 seconds of Olympic gold in Paris, Kishane Thompson is ready to test his explosive power on the boards.

He also claimed a silver medal in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, just behind compatriot Oblique Seville.

While Kishane Thompson has long been hailed as a 100m specialist, his transition to the 60m dash is a logical evolution for an athlete known for his blistering drive phase.

Kishane Thompson signalled his readiness earlier this year by clocking a personal best of 6.48 seconds outdoors in a 60m race in Jamaica, a time that already ranks him among the fastest Jamaicans in history for the distance.

The Jamaican team features a deep roster of experienced campaigners and rising talents. On the track, Ackera Nugent will be looking to improve on her bronze medal following her sensational debut last season.

The team selection also highlights a significant milestone for Jamaican youth athletics, with high school sensation Shanoya Douglas (Holland High) named in the 4x400m relay pool. She becomes the first schoolgirl included in a World Indoor squad since 2003.

In the field, Carey McLeod, Tajay Gayle, and Jordan Scott return to action. McLeod and Gayle, both seasoned global medallists, will look to dominate the long jump pit, while Lamara Distin leads the charge in the women’s high jump, aiming to translate her collegiate dominance into world gold.

The JAAA has also named a robust list of reserves. These athletes, including world 100 silver medallist Tina Clayton and hurdles prospect Vashaun Vascianna, provide the team with insurance against the high-intensity nature of indoor racing.

The championships will follow a condensed, high-intensity three-day format:

Friday, March 20: Men's 60m Heats, Semi-finals, and the Final (Evening Session).

Saturday, March 21: Women's 60m Final and Men's 60m Hurdles Final.

Sunday, March 22: Men's and Women's 4x400m Relays and the Women's 60m Hurdles Final.

60m: Ackeem Blake, Kishane Thompson, Bryan Levell (Reserve: Kadrian Goldson)

60m Hurdles: Demario Prince, Jerome Campbell (Reserve: Vashaun Vascianna)

400m / 4x400m: Delano Kennedy, Reheem Hayles, Kimar Farquharson, Tyrice Taylor, Rivaldo Marshall, Demar Francis

800m: Navasky Anderson, Rivaldo Marshall

Long Jump: Carey McLeod, Tajay Gayle (Reserve: Jordan Turner)

Triple Jump: Jordan Scott

60m: Jonielle Smith, Briana Lyston (Reserve: Tina Clayton)

60m Hurdles: Megan Tapper, Oneka Wilson

400m / 4x400m: Nickisha Pryce, Shana Kaye Anderson, Leah Anderson, Kelly Ann Beckford, Natoya Goule-Toppin, Shanoya Douglas

800m: Natoya Goule-Toppin, Kelly Ann Beckford

High Jump: Lamara Distin

Long Jump: Nia Robinson

Triple Jump: Shantae Foreman