Colombia, Medellín
World’s Fastest Nation
Raheem Chambers and Martin Manley during training at the Alfonso Galvis stadium in Medellín.
Jamaica is home to some of the fastest human beings on the planet. It therefore was an exciting moment for members of Indeportes Antioquia to be able to host two of Jamaica’s best junior athletes along with their coach. The Jamaicans spent two weeks of training at the Indeportes camp in Medellín Colombia as part of their preparation for the IAAF World Junior Chamionships held July 22, 2014 to July 27, 2014.
The trip was part of a sports exchange programme between Indeportes Antioquia in Medellin and St Jago High School in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
Martin Manley and Raheem Chambers are two of Jamaica’s most talented junior athletes and are seen as likely successors to the world’s fastest men, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake. Seventeen year old Manley won the 400m at the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships held in Donetsk Ukraine. Chambers became the fastest Jamaican at age 16 when he recorded a time of 10.28 at a meet in in Kingston on March 9. They both attended the same high school as 2011 World 100m champion, Yohan Blake. Their coach Danny Hawthorne who also coached Blake in high school, is one of the best sprint coaches on the island.
Athletics in Colombia
Indeportes Antioquia under the guidance of Colombian national coach Raul Diaz has one of the best athletics programmes in Colombia. His group of athletes includes several persons who have represented Colombia at the Olympics, World Championships and World Junior Championships.
Coach Danny Hawthorne who has travelled to several countries in Latin America and other parts of the world described the experience in Colombia as his best stay in any country ever. The team is scheduled to return to Jamaica on Monday April 14.
We do expect to see Chambers and the Jamaican contingent of young athletes at the 2015 World Youth Championships to be held in Cali, Colombia from July 15 to July 19.
Jablespañol has played an integral role in forging the linkages between Indeportes Antioquia and St Jago since 2011.
video of Manley and Chambers at training in Medellin