It is a distinct pleasure to welcome you to the 49th staging of the Gibson McCook Relays on the customary last Saturday in February.

Since its inception 53 years ago in 1973, there has been recognition that this event is a celebration of discipline, unity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Every year, the National Stadium becomes a living reminder that when Jamaicans come together with purpose, the extraordinary becomes possible. Underpinning this and at the core of success is the acknowledgement that the power of strong teamwork is the hallmark of creating enabling environments for all stages of growth and development in athletics.

Excellence through collaboration, commitment to world-class standards and sustainable development for future champions are pillars that will propel athletics into the future, while concretizing Jamaica’s prowess as high-achievers.

We are thankful to have been able to hold the Gibson McCook Relays this year, despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa – a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane
which made landfall on Jamaica on 28 October 2025 at 12:00 p.m. near New Hope in Westmoreland. Forty-five lives were lost and eleven persons are still reported as missing. Our heartfelt condolences to those who suffered loss of their loved ones!

The effects of the hurricane on individuals, families, communities, schools and businesses caused lives and livelihoods to be changed significantly, in particular
in the worst affected parishes in western Jamaica. Yet, rebuild we must with the well-revered resilience of a determined people to chart and lead the way forward, again overcoming adversity to rise to greater heights.

We were reminded of the love and respect for Jamaica and Jamaicans globally with the outpouring of support for the response and recovery efforts post Hurricane Melissa. The visit of World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe, with provision of tangible support to rebuild athletic programmes in schools was inspirational
and demonstrated our solid standing and reputation internationally in track and field.

This year the Gibson McCook Relays will utilize a Finals Only format, as was done for the first time in 2022, based on the national guidelines for mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This event aims to provide a more exhilarating, fast paced and high-quality experience for athletes, athlete support personnel and spectators over a five-hour period. There are forty events that will showcase the performances of the best of our track and field athletes across all age groups from those under ten years of age to the Elite Athletes and Masters. There are seventeen Championship events that offer a special prize of J$75,000.00 for records broken during these events.

It is a pleasure to welcome teams from Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and Team Jamaica Bickle, USA. A further highlight is the participation of athletes from 21 countries at the Gibson McCook Relays 2026, who are studying and training alongside our own athletes here in Jamaica. This augurs well for the advancement of track and field across the Caribbean and globally as athletes prepare to hone their craft and excel, while being nurtured in a wholistic manner at all stages of their lives and careers.

We recommend broadening of horizons and encourage all athletes to exchange experiences, develop friendships and create new networks.

We remain proud that the status of World Athletics Ranked Event – Tier 2 has been maintained by the Gibson McCook Relays. As stated on its website, World Athletics has created a global ranking system where athletes score points, based on a combination of result and place, depending on the level of the competition in which the result is achieved. We know that it is the wholistic development of our athletes that must be cemented in the values to be upheld by all who influence their paths. This starts with families and by extension the communities, which must assist in the transition of our athletes through the various phases of their growth and development.

World Athletics continues to set the standards and raise the bar for athletics at the international level and we continue to rely on the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) to provide guidance to meet organizers and those who partner with them to ensure that opportunities created for athletes to maximize their full potential are in keeping with all World Athletics requirements.

The Gibson McCook Relays Organizing Committee (GMROC) remains committed to maintaining the high standards that are embodied in our Mission Statement which emphasizes the aim of furthering the development of track and field athletes, coaches and administrators through the provision of world-class meets and other development programmes.

I would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor, PUMA, major sponsors Television Jamaica, Wisynco and Universal Service Fund, event sponsors and those who have contributed to this 49th staging of the Gibson McCook Relays.

To the GMROC: Our work and worth have been recognized locally and internationally. Our responsibility is therefore to maintain our core values and incorporate approved standards, as we strive for excellence and foster the spirit of volunteerism. To every athlete competing today: run with courage and heart.

To every coach: continue shaping lives with wisdom and passion.

To every administrator and organizer: keep building the structures that allow our athletes to shine. To our officials and volunteers: keep your standards high.
To every supporter: keep believing, keep cheering, keep lifting our athletes higher.

Together, we are not just preparing for the next event — we are shaping the future of Jamaican athletics.

Thank you and enjoy the Gibson McCook Relays 2026!

See you all in 2027