History
Jamaica made its first Summer Olympic appearance in 1948 and has competed ever since with the exception of 1960 where it competed as the British West Indies with other Caribbean nations. The nation sends a medium sized delegation of around 3-5 dozen athletes since 1984. The overwhelming majority of the Jamaican team competes in athletics, but other sports commonly seen throughout its history are boxing, cycling and swimming.
Jamaica has won at least one medal in most Olympics with the exceptions being in 1956 and 1964. In total they have won 77 medals with all, but one coming in athletics, the other was in cycling. Jamaica’s most successful athlete in terms of number of medals was sprinter Merlene Ottey whom won three silver and six bronze medals between 1980 and 2000 in the women’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. The most successful athlete in terms of gold medals is Usain Bolt whom won eight gold medals in the men’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay across three Olympics (2008-2016). In 2016 Jamaica won 11 medals.
Qualified Quotas
Athletics
Men’s Events
| Event | Qualifying Athletes | Selected Athletes |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s 100m | Yohan Blake | |
| Waseem Williams | ||
| Men’s 200m | Andre Ewers | |
| Men’s 110m Hurdles | Omar McLeod | |
| Men’s Long Jump | Tajay Gayle | |
| Men’s Discus Throw | Fedrick Dacres | |
| Traves Smikle |
Women’s Events
| Event | Qualifying Athletes | Selected Athletes |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s 100m | Over 3 Eligible Athletes | |
| Women’s 200m | Elaine Thompson | |
| Janeek Brown | ||
| Women’s 400m | Chrisann Gordon | |
| Shericka Jackson | ||
| Women’s 5000m | Aisha Praught-Leer | |
| Women’s 100m Hurdles | Janeek Brown | |
| Danielle Williams | ||
| Jeanine Williams | ||
| Women’s 400m Hurdles | Nikita Tracey | |
| Janieve Russell | ||
| Ronda Whyte | ||
| Women’s Long Jump | Tissanna Hickling | |
| Women’s Triple Jump | Shanieka Ricketts | |
| Kimberly Williams | ||
| Women’s Shot Put | Danniel Thomas-Dodd | |
| Women’s Discus Throw | Shadae Lawrence |