James and Peters set for Zurich Diamond League action

by Michael Bascombe

ZURICH, Switzerland, Aug. 26, 2026 - Kirani James and Anderson Peters will carry Grenada’s colours at the Weltklasse Zürich meeting on Thursday, the final stop before next month’s Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels.

James will compete in the men’s 400 metres, while Peters will line up in the men’s javelin throw at the Letzigrund Stadium.

Drawn in lane six, James will face Switzerland’s Manuel Gerber, Haydn Brotschi, Lionel Spitz and Ricky Petrucciani, along with Japan’s Yuki Joseph Nakajima, American Vernon Norwood and Italy’s Edoardo Scotti.

Although the race does not carry Diamond League points, it offers James a competitive field. Norwood has the fastest season’s best among the starters at 44.58 seconds, followed by Scotti at 44.96. James enters the race with a season’s best of 45.04.

James has enjoyed success in Zurich before. He won the Diamond League 400m title at the same venue in 2022, clocking 44.26 seconds.

The 2012 Olympic champion has not competed on the Diamond League championship circuit this season, however, and will not be part of the 400m final in Brussels.

Peters, meanwhile, has already secured his place in the javelin final and will use Thursday’s competition as another test against some of the leading throwers in the world.

The two-time world champion will face Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who leads the 2026 world list with 92.62m, as well as Curtis Thompson of the United States, Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and Germany’s Thomas Röhler.

The field also includes Julius Yego of Kenya, Patriks Gailums of Latvia, Marc Anthony Minichello of the United States, Dawid Wegner of Poland and Switzerland’s Simon Wieland.

Peters has a season’s best of 86.69m and will be seeking a strong performance before turning his attention to the Diamond League title.

Zurich is the penultimate stop on the overall Diamond League calendar and the final qualifying meeting of the season.

The Allianz Memorial Van Damme will host the two-day Diamond League Final at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on September 4 and 5. The leading athletes from the 2026 series will compete across 32 events for the Diamond League titles and trophies.

Peters will represent Grenada in the men’s javelin final, while Thursday’s race in Zurich will be James’ final appearance on the Diamond League calendar this season.

John wins World Masters gold with championship record

by Michael Bascombe

DAEGU, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2026 - Nigel “Bunto” John has won Grenada’s first gold medal at the World Masters Athletics Championships (WMAC), setting a championship record.

John won the men’s M50 long jump on Tuesday with 6.64 metres, improving the previous championship record of 6.59m. He finished just 20 centimetres short of the world record of 6.84m.

“To win Grenada’s first gold medal at the World Masters Championships and to do it with a championship record means a lot to me,” John, who is based in Canada, told GrenadaSports.

“This is my first World Masters Championships representing Grenada, so I am very proud to be able to deliver this performance for the country.”

The title was decided by a single centimetre. Bakri Daroueche of France took the silver medal with 6.63m, while former Jamaican Olympian James Beckford secured bronze with 6.33m.

Beckford was the long jump silver medallist at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, finishing behind American great Carl Lewis.

John said his winning effort could have been considerably longer.

“I went beyond seven metres, but I fell backwards, and my hands touched the sand behind me,” he explained.

“That is where they had to measure from, so the jump was recorded at 6.64. I missed the world record, but I am thankful that it was still enough to win the gold medal and set a new championship record.”

Grenada’s participation in the championships continues on Thursday, South Korean time. John will return for the M50 200m, while Curtis Brereton will compete in the M65 5,000m.

Both athletes are also entered in the 400m, with competition beginning on Saturday. John is scheduled to compete in the M50 400m on Sunday, August 30 - Saturday night in the Caribbean.

The date carries special significance for Grenada. It will be exactly 15 years since Kirani James won the men’s 400m at the 2011 World Athletics Championships at the same stadium in Daegu.

For John, the gold medal is also an opportunity to bring greater attention to masters athletics in Grenada.

He hopes the performances in Daegu will lead to recognition from the Grenada Athletics Association.

“We have made several attempts to get recognition from the GAA, but we have not been successful,” he told GrenadaSports.

“I am hoping the performances here will help to change that and open the door for discussion. We are representing Grenada and doing our best for the country.”

John expressed appreciation to the Government of Grenada for assisting the athletes with travel and accommodation.

“I must thank the Government of Grenada for the assistance with our travel and accommodation,” he said. “That support helped to make it possible for us to be here and compete.”

He also hopes the achievement will encourage more people to become involved in and support Grenada Masters Athletics, which was formed in 2015.

“I hope this medal inspires more people to get involved and support Grenada Masters Athletics,” John said. “We want to continue competing, representing Grenada and helping masters athletics to grow.”

The World Masters Athletics Championships continue at Daegu Stadium until September 3.

Carriacou-rooted coach Jonathan Alexis joins Towson University

by Michael Bascombe 

TOWSON, Maryland, Aug. 24, 2026 - Brooklyn-born track and field coach Jonathan Alexis, whose family roots are in Carriacou, has joined Towson University’s track and field and cross-country coaching staff.

Alexis will serve as an assistant coach, responsible for the jumps and multi-events. His appointment was announced on Monday by Towson head coach Consandria Walker-Hall.

Although born in Brooklyn, New York, Alexis has strong ties to Grenada through the sister isle of Carriacou.

He moves to the Maryland-based university after spending the past three years as an assistant coach at Alabama State University. There, he worked mainly with jumpers, pole vaulters, and multi-event athletes.

During his time at Alabama State, Alexis helped to develop several NCAA qualifiers and contributed to four Southwestern Athletic Conference team championships. He also helped develop some of the leading collegiate jumpers in the United States.

Walker-Hall said Alexis brings valuable experience and a record of success to the programme.

“He brings a proven record of success at every level,” she said, adding that she expects him to make an immediate contribution to Towson’s athletes and coaching staff.

Alexis welcomed the opportunity to begin another chapter in his coaching career.

“I am thankful to Coach Walker for giving me this opportunity,” he said. He is looking forward to working with the staff and athletes as the programme builds on its recent progress.

Before joining Alabama State, Alexis coached at Iowa Central Community College, Carver Academy in Virginia and his alma mater, Virginia Union University.

His work at Iowa Central covered jumps, combined events, sprints, hurdles and middle-distance events. Under his guidance, Iowa Central produced top-ranked NJCAA groups in the decathlon, heptathlon, high jump, long jump and triple jump on several occasions.

Alexis was also named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year five times.

He holds several professional qualifications, including USATF Level I certification and USTFCCCA technical and combined-events certifications.

Alexis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Union University and an Associate of Arts degree from Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn.

GAA has an opportunity to chart a new course

Sports Commentary by Michael Bascombe

The elections are over, and now the real work begins for the newly elected executive of the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA).

Congratulations to President Johnell Mitchell and his team. We wish them well because Grenadian athletics needs them to succeed.

This is an opportunity for a new beginning, not simply a change of names around the executive table, but a different approach to how the sport is administered, how athletes are treated, and how the association communicates with its stakeholders.

Judging from the many comments during Saturday's TalkSports programme, rebuilding trust must be among the new executive's immediate priorities.

Current national athlete Gamali Felix offered perhaps the clearest assessment when he said the GAA needs greater "transparency, accountability, and people who genuinely care about the sport and the athletes."

Felix also pointed to Grenada's talent, facilities, and potential, while calling for clearer communication about funding, development, team selections, and the overall direction of athletics.

Former national athletes Nathaniel Mark and Kim Fullerton expressed similar sentiments. Mark called for "a fresh approach built on openness, accountability, strong leadership," while Fullerton argued that "the same old can't be acceptable."

Those voices should not be ignored or treated as criticism for criticism's sake. They give the new executive an indication of where some of the dissatisfaction exists and, importantly, where the rebuilding process can begin.

Athletes, including those attending high schools and colleges at home and overseas, should feel connected to the GAA throughout the year, not only when national teams are being selected. There have been complaints from athletes about feeling neglected and then suddenly being contacted when their services are required to represent Grenada.

Parents have also used social media to express frustration over communication, the treatment of athletes, and, at times, their interaction with administrators.

That relationship needs attention.

Mitchell now has an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership and establish an administration with its own identity and direction. This is his opportunity to lead, while drawing on the experience and skills of the people elected alongside him.

Governance must also be part of that new direction. The GAA's constitution, by-laws, membership requirements, electoral procedures, and other important documents should be easily accessible. Clubs and affiliates must understand their responsibilities and rights, and communication cannot become something that happens only around elections or major championships.

There are also opportunities beyond administration.

The InterCol Championships provide the GAA with a ready-made platform to strengthen relationships with schools, identify emerging talent, and develop commercial partnerships. Grenadian athletics has a product that corporate Grenada should be encouraged to support, but it must be packaged and managed professionally.

Grenada has produced Olympic champions, world champions, and internationally respected athletes. The administrative structure supporting the sport should aspire to the same standard.

If Mitchell and his executive members can work collectively, put aside egos and past differences, listen to athletes and clubs, and genuinely place development first, the GAA can move along a different trajectory.

And congratulations to everyone who offered themselves for service during the elections. Their expertise should not be lost. There should be opportunities for them to contribute through the GAA's various subcommittees.

The election is finished. Now comes the harder part: rebuilding trust, restoring confidence, and charting a new course for Grenadian athletics.

Mitchell elected president of new GAA executive

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug 22, 2026 - Johnell Mitchell has been elected president of the Grenada Athletic Association (GAA), moving up from First Vice President to lead a new seven-member executive through 2029.

Mitchell was elected during the association’s Annual General Meeting at the National Cricket Stadium on Saturday. He succeeds Conrad Francis, who did not seek re-election.

Mike Baptiste was elected First Vice President, while Albert Joseph will serve as Second Vice President.

Desiree Stephen retained the position of General Secretary, with Aida Bedminister-Joseph elected Assistant General Secretary. Vaughn Joseph is the new Treasurer, and Shere-Ann Noel will serve as Public Relations Officer.

Mitchell and Stephen are the only two members of the new executive who served under Francis. The other five are new to the association’s leadership.

The new board will be responsible for overseeing the development of athletes, clubs, competitions, and national programmes during its term.

Mitchell said the executive will hold its first meeting on September 1, when its members will begin discussing their priorities and the preparation of a strategic plan.

“There are several things I would like to see as the new president, including stronger club structures and greater stakeholder engagement,” Mitchell told GrenadaSports. “But I want to discuss those matters as an executive and get their input as we begin putting our strategic plan in place.”

He also called on the new executive to work together and build upon the association’s long history.

“We have inherited a foundation from over 100 years and need to leave it better than we received it,” Mitchell said.

Kerlon Peters, who also contested the presidency, congratulated the newly elected team and extended his best wishes for its term in office.

“Thank you for the support, and congratulations to the new GAA team,” Peters said. “I am grateful for all the support as we continue to work for the development of sports.”