Although Jamaica and the United States have what many consider one of the great rivalries of global athletics, it is not a strange experience to hear rapturous cheering for some American athletes at the National Stadium.

That was the case when USA’s Gabby Thomas entered the track for the women’s 200m sprint which she won at Grand Slam Track on Friday.

While Thomas dons the red, white and blue of the USA, she is considered by local fans one of their own, as her father is Jamaican. She was ecstatic, winning the race in 22.62 seconds. She finished ahead of the Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino (22.93), and Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (22.96).

“I have at least 10 people here for me, which is really exciting, it’s really exciting being here,” she said with a bright smile after the race.

“This is actually my first time actually competing in Kingston, Jamaica, so it meant a lot to me.”

Thomas is the first-ever winner of a Grand Slam Track race and to her, this means the world as she sees this series as a catalyst to grow the sport.

“This being the first Slam, we’re all very excited, really high nerves, and just overall great energy,” she said.

One of the incentives for these athletes competing is the prize of US$100,000 (just under $16 million) for each winner.

“The prize pot here is the biggest in our sport, so it’s really exciting to see who will come out the eventual winner,” Thomas said. “I wanted to be the first winner so badly. I think I probably wanted it more than anyone — just being one of the first people apart of Grand Slam and just knowing how much it means to the sport of track and field; I was just excited to go out there and get a win.”

Thomas now turns her attention to the 400m sprint on Saturday at 7:21 pm.

— Rachid Parchment