Jamaica and the USA’s track and field rivalry has been electric for years. Think of Usain Bolt vs. Justin Gatlin, or the fierce competition between Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson on the Jamaican side and Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas from the USA. And let’s not forget that Noah Lyles is set to square off with Kishane Thompson. These clashes are thrilling to watch, but things get even more interesting when athletes with both Jamaican and American roots step into the spotlight, adding a whole new layer of excitement to the mix. Take Briana Williams, for example.

The 22-year-old Olympian finds herself in the ranks of Gabby Thomas and Sanya Richards-Ross as another powerhouse with Jamaican and American genes. This American-born sprinter competes for Jamaica in the 100m and 200m events. When she was 16, she became the youngest athlete to win the women’s 100m and 200m at the 2018 World Under-20 Championships in Tampere. She even set the girls’ 100-meter age-15 world record in March 2018. Plus, snagged the 2021 Tokyo Olympics silver medal in the 4×100-meter relay with legends like Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson. With a track record like that, let’s dive into the roots of this talented Olympian and find out why she chose to run for Jamaica over America!

Meet the parents of Sprinting Star of Jamaica, Briana Williams

According to the Jamaica Observer, Briana Williams, born on March 21, 2002, in Miami, Florida, has some impressive roots. She’s the daughter of Sharon Simpson and Steven Williams, who have played a huge role in nurturing her talents and inspiring her to reach for the stars.

Interestingly, when Briana first started racing, her mom set up a Facebook account for her and added an American flag with the message “future US Olympian.” But after experiencing the vibrant track and field culture in Jamaica, Briana decided to run for Jamaica instead. So, what made her choose Jamaica over the USA? Let’s dive in and find out!

Why does Briana Williams represent Jamaica instead of the USA?

After Briana Williams won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the 4×100-meter relay with Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, she dedicated her medal to her late grandmother, Vive Colquhoun-Simpson, whom she fondly called ‘Nana’ or ‘Nenna.’ Briana learned of her grandmother’s passing only after the Olympics, as her family chose not to tell her until she had competed. Heartbroken that her grandmother didn’t get to see her return home with the medal, she said, “Nana would have been so happy that her own grandchild is an Olympic gold medallist for Jamaica.”

Born and raised in South Florida with dual American/Jamaican nationality, Briana could have easily represented the USA. However, she decided to honor her mother and grandmother’s Caribbean heritage and embrace Jamaica’s strong track and field culture. Her mother, Sharon Simpson, revealed that Briana was captivated by the excitement of Jamaica’s track events, especially the Champs, which made track and field in the USA seem boring in comparison.

Despite some family members urging her to choose an easier path and represent the USA, Briana made up her mind to run for Jamaica, and her mom supported her decision. Sharon Simpson said, “I won’t interfere with her decisions as long as she won’t damage or hurt herself, I will just support her and that was why I got the paperwork together for her when she decided to run for Jamaica.” Reflecting on Briana Williams’s incredible journey and her decision to compete for Jamaica despite being born in America, what are your thoughts? Share in the comments below!