Jamaica has opted out of participating at the Pan American Under-20 Athletics Championships in light of recent changes to the international athletics calendar.

The decision, confirmed by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), follows the announcement by the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) regarding adjustments to its schedule for 2025. The Pan American U20 Championships, originally slated for earlier in the season, have now been postponed to October 3–5.

With the new dates falling outside the traditional competitive window for junior athletes, the JAAA has taken proactive steps to ensure its young athletes remain active and motivated. In response, the association in a statement said “We have included as many of our U20 athletes as possible” in the 51-member national team selected for the 2025 Junior Pan Am Games, which will be held in Asunción, Paraguay, from August 18–22.

The team, which features a strong youth contingent of 7 girls and 9 boys from the U20 category, is expected to be officially announced in the coming days once ratification is complete.

Meanwhile, NACAC has also confirmed that its Under-18 and Under-23 Championships have been rescheduled to take place from June 5–7, 2026.