On Signs Jamaican 100m Sprinter Ackeem Blake as Its First Professional Jamaican Athlete

On signs Jamaican sprinter Ackeem Blake as its first professional Jamaican athlete, marking a clear push into sprinting and reinforcing the Swiss brand’s growing presence in elite track and field. The announcement lands on January 23rd, 2026, positioning Blake as a key figure in On’s performance roster ahead of a busy global season.

A New Chapter

The signing brings Ackeem Blake, a 24 yea ‑old 100m athlete with a 9.88 personal best, into On’s athlete family. He joins an expanding track and field group as the brand moves deeper into sprinting, not just distance and road running.

Blake’s competitive resume spans regional and global championships, including a breakthrough at the 2022 NACAC Championships. On’s presents him as part of the ‘next generation’ of the sport, with his trajectory aligned to the brand’s long term performance ambitions.

Medals and Momentum

Blake’s record includes 100m gold and 4x100m bronze at the 2022 NACAC Championships, followed by a 4x100m bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. In 2024, he added an individual 60m bronze at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow and closed the season with a 100m win at the Brussels Diamond League final.

Those results place him among the more prominent emerging sprinters from Jamaica, a nation with a deep sprinting history. For On, adding its name to that tradition adds both sporting credibility and regional relevance as it builds out its track portfolio.

Story, Roots, and Motivation

The brand highlights Blake’s path from Hanover, Jamaica, where he came through a high school with limited resources, before turning professional in Kingston. His motivation is tied closely to his father’s support, including giving him what little money he had so Blake could keep chasing the sport.

Blake credits that support, alongside coaching at Dynamic Track Club, as central to his rise. On leans into his backstory to frame the signing around perseverance and ambition that runs through generations, rather than just performance data.

On’s Performance Focus

Kevin Quadrozzi, Athlete Manager at On, said, “Akeem represents the next generation of track and field, and his passion, commitment, and inspiring personal story are qualities we admire. As our first professional Jamaican athlete, his signing marks a significant milestone for us as we continue to build our presence in Jamaica. We look forward to supporting him on his journey with our latest innovations in performance footwear and apparel.​

Blake, in turn, said that, “I’m thrilled to be joining a brand that is as obsessed with performance as I am…The team at On understands what it takes to compete at the highest level, and I have no doubt that their footwear and support will help me achieve my goals. I’m ready to run and show the world what’s possible.”