Kishane Thompson: Why the Olympic Silver Medallist's World-Leading 9.75s Remains Uncertified

Jamaica’s Olympic and World Championship silver medallist, Kishane Thompson, continues to await official recognition for his world-leading 100 meters time of 9.75 seconds, recorded at the Jamaica Championships last June.

Nearly a year later, the time remains uncertified by World Athletics due to an incomplete certification process for the National Stadium track.

The delay comes despite resurfacing work at the facility, which was completed to prepare for major events, including the ISSA Boys and Girls’ Championships and the Grand Slam Track Series held last April.

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The National Stadium underwent a major resurfacing project aimed at providing athletes with a world-class facility.

However, the track’s official certification, a necessary step for performances to be officially recognised by World Athletics, has yet to be finalised.

At the Public and Appropriation Committee meeting at Gordon House on Wednesday, March 11, Permanent Secretary for Entertainment, Culture and Special Projects in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Deanroy Bernard, addressed questions from Opposition Spokesperson on Sports, Wavel Hinds, regarding the status of the certification process.

Bernard provided historical context, citing the example of the previous certification in 2001: “Well, I don’t think I indicated it. In 2001, the track was certified, seven months after it was laid. It was not certified the same month it was laid because the process would not be completed at that time.

“I agree that the certification should be done shortly after, but I did indicate that the circumstances during that time would have impaired the best practice. The best thing that we hope is that Kishane Thompson’s time is certified in April.”

He acknowledged that the process had been delayed due to scheduling conflicts with major international competitions.

“When we were just about in the summer, about to do that, the World Championships took place, and the preparations began, and because of that, the certification could not be done. Post-September, we could not do that. But now, we are just about completing the process,” he added.

Official certification of the track is crucial, as it ensures that times achieved at the National Stadium are recognised internationally.

For Kishane Thompson, whose 9.75s currently ranks among the fastest in the world, certification would confirm his performance as a legitimate world-leading time and potentially set the stage for further accolades.