Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Brandon Simpson (right) posing with the national flag and other members of the Jamaica's team (from left) Lansford Spence, Davian Clarke and Sanjay Ayre after winning the bronze medal in the men's 4 x 400 metres relay final at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland last month. - Reuters file photo
FORMER NATIONAL 400 metres champion Brandon Simpson, will no longer compete for Jamaica.
Simpson, who won medals at three World Championships while representing Jamaica between 2001 and 2005, had his application for a switch approved by the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA).
He is expected to run for the United States.
Simpson, who is ranked number three over 400 metres in the world, was born in Florida to Jamaican parents on September 6, 1981. However, he spent most of his youth in Jamaica and attended Munro College and Ardenne High.
CONFIRMATION
The JAAA, in a release sent yesterday, confirmed that its executive agreed to release Simpson who helped Jamaica to win silver at the World Championships in Paris in 2003, bronze in Edmonton, Canada (2001) and last month in Helsinki, Finland.
"The association wishes to thank Simpson for his past performances while representing Jamaica and wishes him success in his future endeavours," the JAAA release stated.
During the World Championships in Helsinki, it was brought to the attention of The Gleaner that Simpson was considering a switch after differences with the JAAA over his absence from the Senior CAC Championships in Bahamas in July.
BREAKTHROUGH
Simpson, who finished sixth in the 400m final in Helsinki and achieved his highest ever ranking in the event this year, made his breakthrough in 1999 when he won the gold medal at the CAC Juniors and silver at the World Junior Championships in Chile.
He was also a member of the Jamaican World Junior quartet that won the 4x400m gold medal.
He attended George Mason University after graduating from high school here, then moved onto Texas Christian University.
Simpson, 24, was also a reserve for the Jamaican quartet which won silver at the 2000 Olympics.
