SCOTT

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

DORIAN SCOTT broke the national shot put record twice in a fortnight but says he doesn't know how far he can take the record without financial support.

Last Saturday, at the Pepsi Florida Relays, held at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida, Scott threw 20.60m to erase his own national mark of 20.52m, which he achieved two weeks ago.

His distance gave him first place ahead Wes Stockbarger of Florida State University (18.34m) and Nate Hunter of Northeastern (17.17m).

Scott, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist, said things were going his way but said he desperately needed corporate support.

"I need some sponsorship so that I can continue with the big guys in Europe," Scott said.

"Right now I am not able to get over there (Europe) because I cannot afford it," he said.

A-standard mark

"I just need some help because everything is geared towards the World Championships in Osaka (Japan) and the Pan-Am Games in Brazil," said Scott, who for the first time secured the A-standard mark for the shot put.

As for the national record, he plans to stretch it as far as possible. "I feel like I've got 21m in me this season, and then I will take it from there," he said.

"I am not trying to throw anything under 20.5 this season."

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kenia Sinclair opened her season with a 4:16.88 run in the women's 1500m. She finished ahead of Rose-Anne Galligan of Tennessee.

Sinclair was pleased with what she described as a workout. "It (race) was OK, though I was not competitive," the national 800m record holder said. "It was basically a workout, so I can work with the time," she said.

In the 400m, Patricia Hall took the gold in 51.52 while 1996 Olympic Games silver medallist James Beckford took the men's long jump in 7.96m and Nadine Palmer the 200m in 23.39.