August 21, 2026

Grange posts picture of what appears to be official certification of National Stadium track

Written byRoger Hasfal

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange has posted a picture with her holding what appears to be the official certification of the National Stadium track as a class one facility

On August 11, Opposition spokesman on Labour and Sports Wavell Hinds, had called on Grange to produce the World Athletics certificate.

Speaking in the House of Representatives during her Sectoral Debate presentation in July, Minister Grange said the upgraded track has received a Class One certification from World Athletics, making it eligible to host top-tier international competitions.

However, Hinds had indicated that the recently published World Athletics certification system’s list of certified facilities dated August 7, 2026, does not include Jamaica’s National Stadium among the certified class one facilities.

The official list identifies 116 class one facilities across several countries including the Haseley Crawford stadium in Trinidad.

Grange remained adamant that the Stadium track was certified and on Friday August 21, she posted a picture of herself holding the certificate indicating that the government is in possession of the official certification from track and field’s world governing body World Athletics confirming the that National Stadium Track is certified as a class one facility.

The period of certification will run from June 2026 to March 2031.

The certification means that records and qualifying performances achieved on the track should now be officially recognised.