‘I’m excited’

IN A bid for a spot in Jamaica’s team to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Briana Williams has joined forces with coach John Smith and his training group, which forms part of HS International Sports Management in Los Angeles.

The HS International-bound Williams thanked coach Michael Frater as their partnership comes to an end.

“I am extremely grateful to coach Frater for the work he has done to help my progress so far this season and I wish him and the members of the Dynamic Athletics team the very best going forward,” she said.

Williams will be hoping her switch to train under the guidance of Smith will be the key to securing a spot on the Jamaica team that will be making the trip to the Olympic Games later this year.

This comes after the 21-year-old endured injury setbacks as well as just missing out on an individual spot at the 2023 World Athletics Championship in Budapest last year.

She was a member of the 4x100m relay team that won silver in Budapest, her second medal of that colour at World Championships.

Williams said she is looking forward to the new partnership with Smith, who has major coaching experience as he was the US National team coach for the 2005 Helsinki World Championships and has guided the careers of greats like Ato Boldon, Maurice Greene, Carmelita Jeter, and Marie Jose Perec.

“I’m excited to join a new team and work with coaches who will help me reach my full potential. I’ve achieved a lot so far, but I know I can do even better with the right support and training. I’m looking forward to pushing myself and seeing how far I can go.”

With the addition of Williams, Smith will boast an impressive group of athletes under his belt.

Smith is also the coach responsible for the conditioning of Ivorian athlete Marie Josee Ta Lou, while the HS International umbrella also has the American pair of Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman.