THE JAMAICA Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) yesterday named a strong squad of 46 athletes to represent the island at the ninth IAAF World Athletics Championships in Paris, August 23-31.
Heading the 20 women is Pan American Games 100m hurdles gold medallist Brigitte Foster who clocked the fastest time in the event this year, 12.45 seconds, in Eugene, Oregon on May 24.
Foster is, however, still listed as the world No. 2 in the event as three-time world champion Gail Devers of the United States has beaten her twice in two clashes this season, 12.57 to 12.61 in Lausanne and, in Paris, 12.57 to 12.64.
Also in the squad is 2001 400m silver medallist Lorraine Fenton, the world No. 2 in the one-lap event behind Mexico's Ana Guevara.
Another strong medal contender is long jumper Elva Goulbourne now ranked three in the world following a number of outstanding performances on the Grand Prix circuit with leaps of 6.68m in Madrid and 6.71m in Rome.
The women's squad also includes 33-year-old sprinter Beverly McDonald who will be attending her seventh World Championships 12 years after she won gold as a member of the 1991 Merlene Ottey-led sprint relay team in Tokyo.
Men's world No. 1 over 400m, Michael Blackwood, and world Junior 200m record holder Usain Bolt and 1995 long jump silver medallist James Beckford head the men's team.
Most attention will be focussed on 16-year-old Bolt who clocked 20.13 over 200m at last month's Junior Pan American Championships in Barbados to equal the world junior record at the distance. Bolt's time is the eighth best this year but he is currently 19th by the IAAF.
Jamaica will also be represented for the first time in the decathlon by Commonwealth gold medallist Claston Bernard.
SQUAD
Women: Aleen Bailey (100m, 200m, 4x100m) Elva Goulbourne (long jump), Beverly McDonald (100, 200, 4x100) Judith Kitson (100, 4x100), Juliet Campbell (200, 4x100), Lorraine Fenton (400, 4x400), Allison Beckford (400, 400m hurdles, 4x400) Sandie Richards (400), Brigitte Foster (100 hurdles), Lacena Golding-Clarke (100 hurdles), Vonette Dixon (100 hurdles), Naleya Downer (4x400), Madrea Hyman (1,500), Kerron Stewart (4x100), Novlene Williams (4x400), Ronetta Smith (400, 4x400), Michelle Burgher (4x400), Shellene Williams (4x400), Suzette Lee (triple jump) and Daniele Browning (4x100).
Men: Asafa Powell (100m, 4x100m), Michael Frater (100, 4x100), Dwight Thomas (100, 4x100), Sheldon Morant (100, 4x100), Usain Bolt (200), Latonel Williams (200), Ricardo Williams (200), Chris Williams (200, 4x100), Michael Blackwood (400, 4x400), Brandon Simpson (400, 4x400), Davian Clarke (400, 4x400), Lansford Spence (4x400), Sanjay Ayre (4x400), Michael Campbell (4x400), Michael McDonald (4x400), Maurice Wignall (110 hurdles), Chris Pinnock (110 hurdles), Llewelyn Bredwood (4x400), Julian Dunkley (4x100), Clement Campbell (4x100), Danny McFarlane (400 hurdles), Kemel Thompson (400 hurdles), Dean Griffiths (400 hurdles), James Beckford (long jump), Germaine Mason (high jump) and Claston Bernard (decathlon).
