Nickel Ashmeade
A blisteringly fast Jamaican sprinter who formed part of the relay dynasty that dominated global tracks in the post-Bolt era.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Jamaican sprinter·Birthday: April 7·Millennials
Biography
Nickel Ashmeade grew up in the sprinting heartland of Jamaica, a contemporary of Usain Bolt who carved his own niche in the sport's most competitive era. Coached by the esteemed Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club, Ashmeade's raw speed over 100 and 200 meters was never in doubt. While individual global medals on the world championship stage eluded him, his true impact came in the relay, where his consistency and powerful curve running were invaluable. He was a key component of Jamaican 4x100m teams that operated with terrifying precision, often running the crucial third leg. His career, though shadowed by the titans of his generation, exemplifies the depth of Jamaican sprinting—a talent pool so rich that world-class athletes like Ashmeade provided the foundation for a decade of relay supremacy and national pride.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Nickel was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nickel Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Nickel's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an Olympic gold medal as part of Jamaica's 4x100m relay team at the 2016 Rio Games.
- Earned two World Championship gold medals in the 4x100m relay (2013, 2015).
- Secured a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2012 London Olympics.
- Ran a personal best of 9.90 seconds in the 100 meters, set in Kingston in 2013.
Did You Know?
He attended St. Jago High School in Jamaica, a school with a strong track and field tradition.
Ashmeade ran the third leg on the Jamaican team that set a national record of 37.36 seconds in the 4x100m at the 2015 World Championships.
His first major international medal was a 200m bronze at the 2010 World Junior Championships.
“You train for years for a race that is over in ten seconds.”
