‘I’ve always known that to be the best, you have to compete with the best’: Seville thrilled to become a Grand Slam Track Racer

Paris 2024 Olympics 100m finalist, Oblique Seville believes the Grand Slam Track offers him the opportunity to prove he can be the best in the world in the sprint.

The Jamaican was on Tuesday announced as one of the 48 racers that will file out in Kingston, Jamaica next April where the first leg of the Grand Slam Track will be held.

Seville ran 9.81 in the semifinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics to book his place in the final and looked to be on course to returning Jamaica to the 100m podium since Usain Bolt won the gold eight years earlier but stumbled and could only finish eighth.

The 23-year-old had shown enough potential to raise global athletics watchers’ expectations ahead of the 20th World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan next September and he is confident the Grand Slam Track will provide him that platform to show his true worth on the track.

‘I’ve always known that to be the best, you have to compete with the best, and the opportunity to do that in Grand Slam Track is exactly what I’ve been preparing for. The races in this series will be a perfect platform to test my speed, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure.

‘I’m excited to show the world that I can compete at the highest level and continue breaking records. The challenge of Grand Slam Track excites me because it’s more than just about personal success—it’s about competing at the pinnacle of the sport and pushing the limits of what’s possible,’ he told Grand Slam Track.

Seville will now join 2022 100m World champion, Fred Kerley, Olympics 200m silver medalist and Diamond League champion, Kenny Bednarek and 200m bronze medal winner at the 2017 World Championships, Jereem Richards.

The Jamaican holds a 2-2 head-to-head record against Kerley, 0-1 against Bednarek in the 100m event.
MARIA WORPHIL