McGregor focused on representing with pride
Published:Sunday | September 14, 2025 | 12:14 AMGregory Bryce - Staff Reporter
DESPITE FALLING short of her goal of securing an individual spot on Jamaica’s team at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, Roneisha McGregor is proud to have been selected for the women’s 4x400-metre relay pool.
McGregor had harboured ambitions of competing at the World Championships in the individual events when she entered the women’s 200m and 400m at the Jamaican trials earlier this year.
Although she made the finals of the events, she missed out on an individual spot, having finished sixth in the 400m and not making the quota for the 200.
Despite the disappointment, she takes some consolation in being selected for the 4x400m relay pool, saying any opportunity to represent her country is one worth celebrating.
“It’s actually not what I wanted, but being a part of Team Jamaica is always a privilege and an honour going out there and representing my country with pride,” she said.
“Actually, I wanted an individual spot. But, you know, trials and also a lot of setbacks. So we just have to come out here and just perform as best as possible.”
McGregor stands as one of the more experienced athletes in the relay pool, as this will be her third appearance at the World Championships.
She previously competed at the 2022 Oregon World Championship as a member of the mixed 4x400m relay team.
TITLES
At the 2019 Doha World Championships, she earned a silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay and a bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m.
She is also an Olympic bronze medallist and a World Indoor gold medallist in the 4x400m.
McGregor is hoping she can use her experience on the international stage to help motivate the younger athletes in the team.
“First and foremost, I have to give God thanks for being here at my third World Championships.
“Well, it’s just to motivate them as younger athletes coming up, knowing that you just have to stay put, stay ready mentally, physically, and just go out there and perform at your best,” she said.
Following disappointment in the mixed relays as the Jamaican team failed to advance from their heats, all eyes will now be on the women’s and men’s 4x400m, respectively.
McGregor believes the team is in good shape and has praised the positive vibes in the team’s camp.
“With the camaraderie with the team, we just have to focus and just go out there and perform at our best and rely on each other to bring around the baton.
“In Tottori, the whole camp was a good experience, that’s one, and also with the team coming together and delivering positive vibes.”
She continued, “As a team, we just want to go out there and do our best with the help of Jamaica praying for us.”
The heats of the women’s 4x400m is set for the penultimate day of the championships, with the final set for the last day.