Whyte Gears Up for IAAF World Championships

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Natalliah Whyte is looking to finish her year-long of training strong, as she prepares to compete on the big stage at the International Association of Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar. The championships, held from Sept. 27 to Oct. 6, are a warmup for the Olympic games, featuring the top track & field athletes from around the world. A native of St. Catherine, Jamaica, Whyte will be representing her home country, better known as the sprint factory of the world.

Whyte is the only runner competing from Conference USA (a javelin thrower from Rice will also be participating) who has been training throughout the entire 2018-19 year. At the World Championships, Whyte is set to compete in the 4x100 meters along with Jamaican teammates Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (second in the world), Elaine Thompson (third in the world) and Jonielle Smith (16th in the world). She will also serve as a reserve for the 100 meters.

Whyte enjoyed a significant amount success on the track this season, breaking countless school records and becoming FAU track & field's first All-American and NCAA qualifier. She is currently ranked No. 31 in the world in the 100 meters and looking to finish the year on a high note.

Q&A

FAUSports.com sat down with Whyte to ask her a few questions before she takes the world stage.
Q: How has training been for you?
A: To be honest, it has been a long season. Right now I'm just trying to finish, so I can't really say if it's hard or if it's easy. It's just a mixture because it's been such a long season, where I get up in the morning now and it's like 'wow, it's been a whole year,' and I haven't gotten any rest, but I still have to keep going.

Q: Who else from Jamaica will be running?
A: In the 4x100, it will be Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson, Jonielle Smith and me.

Q: How does it feel to have the opportunity to able to run with these great athletes?
A: I'm excited because my first senior trial was this year and I was excited to run with those elite athletes. When it comes to the championships, I'm looking forward to not having to compete against them this time, but being a part of one team.

Q: What is it like to have the opportunity to represent your home country at the World Championships?
A: It's a big step. I used to compete at the amateur level, so being able to be a part of the senior team is a great achievement.

Q: In what ways are you going to try to finish strong after this year long of training?
A: I just want to put out my best. It has been a long season, so hopefully I have put in the work I needed throughout the long season and can be a person of great impact on the [Jamaican] team.

Schedule

Below are the dates and times to catch Whyte on the track. For the complete schedule from Sept. 27 to Oct. 6, click here.

Day 2 (Sept. 28)
9:30 a.m. – Women's 100 meters (heats)*
Day 3 (Sept. 29)
2:20 p.m. – Women's 100 meters (semifinal)*
4:20 p.m. – Women's 100 meters (final)*
Day 8 (Oct. 4)
1:40 p.m. – Women's 4X100 meters relay (heats)
Day 9 (Oct. 5)
3:05 p.m. – Women's 4X100 meters relays (final)

*Whyte is a reserve in the 100 meters
All times are EST

How to Watch

Coverage from the World Championships will be available on NBCSN, the Olympic Channel and NBC Sports Gold. For a complete television schedule, click here.

Social Media

For complete coverage from of Whyte at the IAAF World Championships and for other FAU track & field news, follow along on Twitter (@FAU_XC_Track) or Instagram (@FAUXC.TF).

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Natalliah Whyte

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Women's XC/Track & Field versus NCAA East First Round on May 30, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

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