Olympian Kemar Bailey-Cole and World Championship medalist Jonielle Smith are among a number of prominent athletes who will be missing from the Jamaica National Athletics Championships that begin today (June 24) at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Also absent is former national U20 record holder Kiara Grant.

The luckless Bailey-Cole, the 2012 Olympic relay gold medalist and 2014 Commonwealth Games 100m champion announced on Wednesday, the eve of the championships that he would take no part in this year’s trials.

“So I have decided not to face the starter (in the 100m) tomorrow (Thursday). I’ve been fighting hard from season in training with a lot of niggles and health issues, not being able to train fully or even lift in the gym how I want. Mentally and physically my body isn’t ready,” a frustrated Bailey-Cole explained on Instagram.

“This is the first since 2012 I wouldn’t be out there risking it,” he continued while hinting that this could be his last year in the sport.

“See y’all next year…maybe. Good luck to all who will be competing.”

In response, 2016 Olympic champion Omar McLeod offered words of encouragement. “Stay up,” he posted.

Also offering support was Nickel Ashmeade, who had missed the last two seasons after undergoing groin surgery but has been entered in the preliminary round 100m that begin today. “Stay blessed and never lose faith. You will be back stronger than ever, just keep moving forward.”

Martin Manley, the recently retired quarter-miler also offered, “You’re a fighter my bro, keep courage and stay positive.”

Bailey-Cole’s sister-in-law, Nikita Tracey, who along with his wife Ristanana, is entered in the 400m hurdles also urged him to remain positive. “You will be back stronger than before.”

Smith, the 2019 4x100m relay gold medalist, is surprisingly also absent after an encouraging 11.28s 100m run on June 5 in Florida.

The Auburn alum, who underwent back surgery after getting hurt in a motorvehicle accident in January 2020, had worked hard to get back into competition. She opened her season on May 30 at the Pure Summer Invitational in Clermont, Florida where she ran 24.29 for a fourth-place finish in the 200m.

Then on June 5, she ran a pair of 100m at the NACAC New Life Invitational, clocking times of 11.37 in the preliminary round and then 11.28 in the final where she finished fourth.

The 20-year-old Grant, a student at Norfolk State University, has reportedly been hampered by a knee injury that has prevented her from entering. Grant had a solid indoor season when she won seven of eight races and clocked a personal best 7.11 over 60m.

However, her form deserted her outdoors as she struggled to find the speed that saw her run 11.04 in June 2019, briefly holding Jamaica’s U20 record.

Her poor outdoor season ended in May when she ran 11.44 for eighth in her 100m heat and 24.16 for seventh-place in her 200m heat at the NCAA East Preliminary at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.

Also on Wednesday, two-time Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown shocked everyone when she announced her immediate retirement from the sport on the eve of the championships.