Brigitte Foster in Madrid (© IAAF)
The Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association last week announced a 46 member squad for the 9th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Paris 2003 Saint-Denis (August 23 to 31).
National record holders and Pan American Games champions, men's High Jumper Jermaine Mason and women's sprint Hurdler Brigitte Foster head the team which features 26 men and 20 women, the largest ever to represent Jamaica at the World Championships.
Many time national champion Sandie Richards who pulled up in the first round of the women's 400m at the national championships, is included in the women's squad after proving her fitness over the last couple of weeks. Richards will run in the 400m along with World and Olympic silver medallist Lorraine Fenton, and Allison Beckford.
Lorraine Fenton is one of the firmer bets for gold, though despite having run sub-50 seconds for the 400m on three occasions this summer (49.71), she will have trouble resting gold from Mexico's World leader Ana Guevara (49.11).
Number one IAAF World ranked 400m runner Michael Blackwood, Pan American Gold 100m medallist Michael Frater, and teenage 100m and 200m sensation Usain Bolt, and national 100m champion Asafa Powell are also in the squad.
Olympic 400m bronze medallist Gregory Haughton, and women's 400m Hurdler Debbie Ann Paris the Olympic fourth placer, are injured and were not considered for selection.
Jamaican team for Paris
Men - Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Dwight Thomas, Sheldon
Morant, Usain Bolt, Latonel Williams, Ricardo Williams, Michael
Blackwood, Brandon Simpson, Davian Clarke, Lansford Spence, Sanjay Ayre, Michael Campbell, Michael McDonald, Maurice Wignall, Christopher Pinnock, Llewelyn Bredwood, Julian Dunkley, Clement Campbell, Danny McFarlene, Kemel Thompson, Dean Griffiths, James Beckford, Germaine Mason and Claston Bernard.
Women - Aleen Bailey, Elva Goulbourne, Beverley McDonald, Judith, Kitson, Juliet Campbell, Lorraine Fenton, Allison Beckford, Sandie Ricahards, Bridgette Foster, Lacena Golding--Clarke, Vonette Dixon, Naleya Downer, Madrea Hayman, Kerron Stewart, Novlene Williams, Ronetta Smith, Michelle Burgher, Shellene Williams, Suzette Lee and Daniele Browning.
IAAF & Agencies
