By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
OLYMPIC MEDALLISTS Veronica Campbell and Danny McFarlane are expected to walk away with the top awards at tonight's Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.
While Campbell's award is certain, sprinter Asafa Powell and cricketer Chris Gayle are making it an 11th-hour decision between themselves and McFarlane for the Sportsman award.
Powell had an almost perfect 2004 track season, breaking and setting a new national record twice, running under 10 seconds nine times and finished the year ranked as the No. 1 100-metre sprinter. His only mishap, which was his most perilous, was his unexpected fifth placing in the Olympic final.
McFarlane, on the other hand, has an Olympic silver medal to show for his efforts of 2004. His silver in the 400 metre hurdles in Athens was the only medal by any male and Powell's personal records dwindle in comparison to an Olympic medal of any quality.
PRIZE MONEY
Tonight's winners will receive $300,000 each and the runner-up $150,000. Special awards will be presented to the national senior netballers and the Under-19
cricketers (three-day competition) for winning regional titles, the Under-20 footballers for advancing to the FInals of the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Associations of Football (CONCACAF) World Youth Championship and the Paralympians, for their achievements at the Paralympics in Athens. The recipient of
the prestigious Chairman's Award will also be announced.
President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Michael Fennel, will deliver the keynote address.
The Carreras Sports Foundation has been the organiser of the ceremony since its
inception in 1961. In its 44-year history, Merlene Ottey has won the most awards with 13. Boxer Michael McCallum has won the most of the men with seven.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The Carreras Sports Foundation selects candidates based on achievements at international and local meets during the year. Each candidate's merit is increased by their accomplishment at major events and the order of recognition is categorised by levels.
Level One (the highest) recognises achievements at the Olympic Games or a renowned international meet such as the biennial World Championships. Level Two acknowledges honours earned at the Commonwealth or Pan American Games, Level Three the Central American and Caribbean Games and Level Four the national events.
2004 nominees
MEN WOMEN
Michael Blackwood - Athletics
Alia Atkinson - Swimming
James Beckford - Athletics
Aleen Bailey - Athletics
Davian Clarke - Athletics
Veronica Campbell - Athletics
Chris Gayle - Cricket
Simone Edwards - Basketball
Marlon King - Football
Germaine Mason - Athletics
Lacena Golding-Clarke - Athletics
Danny McFarlane - Athletics
Nigella Saunders - Badminton
Asafa Powell - Athletics
Sherone Simpson - Athletics
Brandon Simpson - Athletics
Trecia-Kaye Smith - Athletics
Maurice Wignall - Athletics
Glen Johnson - Boxing
