JAAA clears the air – Russell will run in Rio

Photo: Janieve Russell will run in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Rio Olympics

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, Jamaica’s top female 400m hurdler, Janieve Russell will actually run at the Olympic Games in Rio. Reports coming out of Rio earlier today were that the 22 year old had been left off the list by the Jamaica Administrative Association (JAAA) and would therefore not be participating on the event.

However, track and field manager and JAAA Treasurer, Ludlow Watts has since cleared the air on the matter. According to Watts, Russell had not been put on the original list of three submitted to the IAAF due to her non-participation at the National Senior Championships. She was however listed as a reserve, subsequent to proving her fitness, which she did on Monday.

Fans are now breathing a sigh of relief as Russell had shown real signs, prior to getting injured, that she would do something special in Brazil.

Russell’s inclusion is also sure to be a big boost to her teammates as they all hunt medals at these highly anticipated Olympic Games.

Jamaica finished the last Olympic Games in London, England in 2012 with 12 medals including 4 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze.