Jamaica’s 2026 athletics season has taken another blow with the abrupt cancellation of the Queen’s/Grace Jackson Development Meet, which had been slated for January 31.
In a brief notice, the organising committee confirmed the decision, apologising for the short lead time and signalling an intention to regroup and return in 2027 with a stronger staging of the event.
The meet, launched in 2002, has served for over two decades as a key development platform for young track and field athletes. It was established in tribute to Grace Jackson — a Queen’s High alumna and one of Jamaica’s most accomplished female sprinters. Jackson was a central figure in Queen’s only Girls Champs victory in 1979, later earning Olympic silver in the 200 metres at Seoul 1988, holding national records in both the 200m and 400m, and claiming Jamaica’s Sportswoman of the Year honours twice during her career.
Its cancellation now adds to a growing list of scrapped meets on the local calendar. Western Relays, originally set for February 14, has already been called off. The Racers Grand Prix has also been shelved for 2026, with organisers citing financial constraints.
The Central Hurdles Relays briefly joined the list before reversing course after confirmation that resurfacing work at the GC Foster College track had been delayed. That meet is now back on the schedule for January 24.
The clustering of cancellations has raised fresh concerns about the sustainability of Jamaica’s domestic athletics circuit, particularly at the developmental level, where consistent competition is critical for nurturing the next generation of elite talent.
