Tia Clayton: Things to know about Jamaica's rising sprint star
Jamaica is blessed with sprint stars like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson. Tia Clayton is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the two track stars.
Athletics
Tia Clayton is having a breakout season to remember.
The 20-year-old has started to write her own headlines and is now hoping to become the next Jamaican sprint sensation.
Clayton made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, contesting the 100m final against some of the fastest women in the world.
A time of 11.04 saw her finish seventh – but this has proven to be just the start for the youngster who is keen on following in the footsteps of sorint greats Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson.
She has already evidenced that by shaving 0.03 seconds off her personal best to win the latest Diamond League meet with a time of 10.83 on Sunday, 25 August.
Here are some top things to know about Jamaica’s next track star…
Runners in the family
Shining in athletics is something that truly bonds the Clayton family.
Tia’s mother, Tishawna, competed at the national level during her primary and high school years.
But it’s twin sister Tina who pushes the Olympian to reach her very best.
The pair have grown up together and were even coached together as they began their athletic careers.
By 2022, Tina was a four-time U20 world champion in the 100m and 4x100m relay; the latter of which the pair ran and won together.
While they are competitors on the track, they are equally each other’s biggest supporters.
“She has been working really hard and she deserves everything,” Tina said prior to Paris.
“This [Tia at the Olympics] is really big motivation for both of us – we have a long way to go because we’re just starting.”
Tia Clayton's twin sister, Tina.
Tia Clayton: Athletics ambassador
Tia – joined by her twin sister Tina – was an ambassador for the National Primary Schools Athletic Championships earlier this year.
Despite being teenagers themselves at the time, the pair wanted to inspire the next generation of track and field hopefuls.
It is a particularly special event for them, having had their talents spotted in a similar event ten years ago.
“It is very important because we get to encourage athletes to do their best; we’re so truly honoured for this opportunity,” Tia said.
“It is a very great feeling – we give a lot of inspiration for the kids that want to become like us and that’s very great.
“But they should also know that they will have to work very hard to achieve what we’ve achieved.”
Many of those kids would have watched on as Clayton stormed to glory at the latest Dimond League in Poland.
With a personal best of 10.83 seconds, shaving 0.03 seconds off her previous time in a dramatic photo finish.
Her triumph coming right off the back of an Olympic debut, the sky is the limit for Clayton, who could be Jamaica’s next big thing on the track.