Galaxy of stars for JN meet

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

A galaxy of track-and-field stars, including several Olympic and World champions, will grace the National Stadium for the eighth staging of the Jamaica National (JN) Jamaica Invitational track-and-field meet on May 7.

Among those confirmed for the meet are Jamaica's Olympic and World 100-metre champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, double Olympic 200-metre champion and the fastest woman in the world over 100 metres last year, Veronica Campbell-Brown, World and Olympic 400 metres hurdles gold medallist Melaine Walker, 2007 and 2009 men's 400 metres hurdles World champion Kerron Clement of the United States, and his compatriots, Jamaica-born World 400-metre champion Sanya Richards, and Carmelita Jeter, a double bronze medallist over 100m at the World Championships and a best time of 10.64 over the short sprint.

Powell down for the meet

Former world 100-metre record holder and World bronze medallist Asafa Powell is also down for the meet, but the organisers are yet to confirm the participation of Jamaica's Olympic and World 100m and 200m champion, Usain Bolt, and his main sprint rival, American Tyson Gay.

Donald Quarrie, athletes' liaison for the meet and executive member of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA), said they are still in negotiations with both athletes.

"We are still waiting to hear from Tyson Gay, if he will run the 200m or the 400m. As you know, last year, he decided one week before the meet he will compete in the 400m," Quarrie said during yesterday's press launch of this year's meet, which was held at The Wyndham hotel in New Kingston.

"I know that he is leaning a bit towards the 200m, and if he does, then that should be a very interesting event."

He continued: "Usain (Bolt) has had a mild setback in his training and his coach had asked us to give him some time for them to make a decision whether he will compete or not."

Quarrie added that with the vast number of stars who will be on show he was looking forward to some very fast times at this year's meet.

"We are going to have a much more competitive meet than last year because, as you know, the group from MVP will be competing and that will add to the competitiveness of the meet, and we are also looking forward to some fantastic times," he said.

Powell, who was absent from last year's meet, is down to compete in the men's 200m along with American World 200m bronze medallist Wallace Spearmon and fellow MVP teammate Nesta Cater.

The women's 400m is expected to be one of the most exciting events on the programme. Richards will renew rivalry with Christine Ohuruogu of the United Kingdom, Jamaica's trio of Novlene Williams-Mills, Kaliese Spencer and Kenia Sinclair, and American Natasha Hastings.

Jeter to face Stewart

Jeter will face Jamaica's Olympic and World silver medallist Kerron Stewart in the women's 100m, along with Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Sherone Simpson and American Marshervet Myers.

Fraser-Pryce is down to compete in the women's 200m alongside Campbell-Brown, Shericka Williams, Bianca Knight of the United States and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of The Bahamas.

In the men's 100m, last year's winner, American Darvis Patton, will be hard-pressed to repeat the feat as he will be challenged by Yohan Blake, Michael Frater, and Daniel Bailey.

The men's 100m hurdles will feature Dwight Thomas, Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados and the American pair of Terrence Trammell and Antwon Hicks.

Jermaine Gonzales will feature in the men's 400m along with countryman Ricardo Chambers and Gay, if he competes.

Walker will compete in the 400m hurdles, while last year's winner, Clement, is down to participate in the one-lap men's hurdles event.

Tickets for the meet are due to go on sale on May 4. Spectators will be required to pay $500 to sit in the bleachers, while there are three price categories for the grandstand - $2,500, $2000, and $1,000.