On the verge ...Dacres seeks history as he launches Jamaica's medal hunt

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

LILLE, France:

National junior record holder and the best youth discus thrower in the world, Federick Dacres, will get Jamaica's medal hunt under way today at the IAAF World Youth Championships (WYC) in Lille, France.

He is expected to feature and dominate in the discus final, scheduled for 6:45 p.m. local time (11:45 a.m. Jamaica time).

Twelve other Jamaicans will be in action on today's opening day, including Chrisann Gordon (400m), Christania Williams (100m), Chanice Porter (high jump) and Olivia James (400m).

Dacres, who is the only 16 or 17-year-old in the world to have thrown over 65 metres - with a best of 66.42m - is the overwhelming favourite to take the event.

However, he remains grounded and said he understands what it would mean for the team if he is able to meet the expectations and take home a medal.

"The first medal or the first gold would really set the pace for the team and motivate everyone else to go out and do what is necessary to medal, or at least make their final, so I'm going out there to do everything to give us a good start," said Dacres.

The teenager, who is hoping to secure Jamaica's first gold medal in the event, and second medal after his training partner, Traves Smikle's bronze two years ago, will, however, have to navigate the preliminary round which starts at 10:25 a.m. (3:25 a.m. Jamaica time).

Hurdling pair Megan Simmonds and Chrisdale McCarthy will be the next Jamaicans on track in the 100m hurdles. Both should advance to the next round, with the top four from each heat advancing. Simmonds will run out of lane six in heat three. McCarthy will start in lane eight in the following heat.

The 100m hurdles heats is the first track event and is scheduled for 9:05 a.m. (2:05 a.m. Jamaica time).

Clive Pullen is next up in the boys' long jump qualification at 9:10 a.m. (2:10 a.m.). Porter and Krista Gay Taylor will contest the qualification round of the girl's high jump, two hours later.

Gordon and James will start their medal quest in the girls 400m at 11:40 a.m. (4:40 a.m.), before Jamaica's last man standing in the 100m, Odail Todd, will look to take up the mantle at 12.25 p.m. (5:25 a.m.), as the first round begins.

Lennox Williams will feature in the 400m heats at 4:35 p.m. (9:35 a.m.), before 100m gold medal favourite, Christania Williams and Dianna Johnson, line up in the heats at 5:30 p.m. (10:35 a.m. Jamaica time). Omar McLeod will close out Jamaica's opening day involvement in the 400m hurdles heats at 7:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Jamaica time).