Fastest man ever to have lived…most celebrated track and field athlete of all time…holder of the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4 x 100 meter world records…winner of three sprinting gold medals at two consecutive Olympic games…
…but even Usain Bolt had to breakthrough somewhere. And that somewhere was the Inter-Secondary School Association (ISSA) Boys’ & Girls’ Athletic Championships held in his beloved home country of Jamaica.
The ‘Champs’ as they’re known, take place in March every year. Running for more than a century now, they draw competitors from 150 schools located across the country.
Though only school children compete, it is one of the most prominent events in the Jamaican sporting calendar.
A proving ground for the Olympic stars of the future, the event attracts many of the world’s top coaches and scouts who come armed with bumper scholarships and promises of great careers for those who demonstrate the most potential.
No wonder, when you look at the pedigree of previous winners. Along with Bolt, the list of illustrious names includes the likes of former world record-holder Asafa Powell, Olympic-gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Olympic winner Donald Quarrie.
This year’s four-day competition runs today through March 16 at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: Nick J Webb)
