Danielle Williams is in seventh heaven right now, and she earned every bit of it. In a meet that saw international stars dominate, Williams gave Jamaican fans a reason to roar again. The women’s 100m final was hers from the jump. Exploding out of the blocks, Williams stayed laser-focused and fearless, crossing the line first with a confident 11.54. It wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. A world champion in her own right, Williams reminded everyone that Jamaica still produces finish-line killers. And yet, she stood alone.

In a meet built to spotlight greatness and held in the heart of Kingston, Jamaica’s golden reputation in sprinting felt eerily dim. While stars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Kenny Bednarek dominated their events with ease, Williams was the only Jamaican to taste victory. On home turf, where crowd energy and national pride should’ve fueled a stronger showing, the silence from Jamaica’s other stars was deafening. That wake-up call has since echoed louder, with American athletes and analysts now turning up the heat on Jamaica’s sprinting elite, questioning not just their performance, but their preparedness moving forward.

Track World News captured this collective bewilderment in a YouTube video breakdown. Analyst Colin Waitzman pointed to Ackeem Blake as part of a bigger problem, “We didn’t see really much of anything from Oblique. We didn’t see much of anything from, uh, Blake. Like, there was a lot to be desired, and I thought that the Jamaicans were going to dominate this race. You’re on home soil. You have all the reason to do well.” And that’s what stings because Blake isn’t some fringe contender still finding his footing. He’s a rising star with serious receipts. In 2024, Blake sprinted to a bronze in the 60m at World Indoors, then followed that up with a stunning gold at the Diamond League Final in Brussels.

Those kinds of performances don’t happen by chance. At just 23, Blake is shaping up to be one of the most promising names in the post-Bolt era. He’s expected to deliver. And that’s exactly why his low-key showing in Kingston felt so off. Noah Williams echoed the sentiment in the same episode, “I predicted Ackeem Blake would win on home soil. That’s what I thought was going to happen. I know that the Jamaican athletes take a lot of pride in being from Jamaica…that’s really like the first big meet since they redid the track there. It looks beautiful too, by the way. But um, yeah, I was really surprised I thought that you know more Jamaican athletes were going to really come and put on a show And unfortunately, bro, it didn’t happen.”

There have been significant upgrades regarding the track at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. It underwent some resurfacing and was officially handed over to Independence Park Limited on March 23, 2025, after the track was flagged for some deterioration and safety concerns. Further, the track now also proudly boasts black, green, and gold colors, while it previously had a blue surface.

However, Williams’ words hit the heart of national pride and disappointment. When the stage is set at home and the crowd is yours, anything less than excellence feels amplified.

Blake’s silence on the track wasn’t just a missed opportunity. It was a sharp reminder of the weight he now carries. When you’ve got the resume, the recognition, and the expectation to lead Jamaica’s next sprinting era, people notice when you’re not in the mix, especially when the world is watching from your backyard.

GST’s Kingston debut sparks crowd controversy

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track made its explosive debut in Kingston, and for a moment, it felt like the glory days of Usain Bolt all over again. World-class athletes, a stacked prize purse of $12.6 million, and performances that rattled the track. This was supposed to be a showstopper. But while the action on the field delivered, the energy in the stands told a different story. The National Stadium, capable of holding 35,000 roaring fans, was hauntingly quiet, with just around 6,000 people scattered through the seats. Moreover, it left many wondering, how could Jamaica, where the track is a practical religion, miss such a marquee event.

Sports analyst Leighton Levy didn’t mince words when he broke it down on SportsMax TV. “It was a miss in terms of the crowd — specifically the turnout,” he said. Despite star-studded performances, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s world-leading 52.76 in the 400m hurdles and Danielle Williams earning Jamaica’s only $100,000 win, the vibe in the stadium felt more like a quiet practice meet than a multi-million dollar spectacle. And with 48 contracted “Racers” on the roster, fans and analysts alike are scratching their heads at the low turnout.

Some critics believe the lukewarm reception might be traced back to Johnson himself. Was the marketing off? Was the timing bad? Or is it that Jamaicans are still feeling out this new format? Unsure if GST can live up to the Olympic-level legacy they’re used to? Levy added to the growing uncertainty, saying, “It was difficult to get a clear answer about GST’s future in Jamaica.” As the dust settles on GST’s inaugural run, the fireworks on the track are being overshadowed by the question marks in the bleachers.