Beckford 1st Jamaican Since 1956 to Advance to Olympic High Jump Final

Romaine Beckford created history by becoming the first Jamaican in 68 years to qualify for the high jump final at the Olympics.

Beckford booked his place in the final with a jump of 2.24 metres at the Paris Games.

The last Jamaican man to make an Olympic long jump final was Earnest Haisley at the 1956 Games in Melbourne. Haisley finished 15th in the final.

Meanwhile, Janeek Brown, Danielle Williams and Ackera Nugent all advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 100-metres hurdles.

Brown booked her place after finishing third in heat-1 in 12.84 seconds. Williams won heat-4 in 12.59 seconds and Nugent won in 12.65 seconds.

Williams hopes she can add an Olympic medal to her world titles.

Danielle Williams.

Editor’s note: This story has been edited from a previous version.