Aris

JAMAICA HAS already started preparations to ensure a successful IAAF World Athletics Champion-ships next year in Berlin, Germany.

Trevor 'TC' Campbell, an executive of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), recently visited Berlin to view facilities.

In an interview with The Gleaner this week JAAA president Howard Aris said Campbell's visit was upon the invitation of the IAAFs.

On the visit, Aris said, Campbell "looked at accommodation, the stadium, training facilities and the logistics of getting around ... transportation and the athletes' village. They also showed him some possible training venues for camps," said Aris.

At the Beijing Olympics, Jamaica claimed a record 11 medals - six gold, three silver and two bronze, but Aris said the Berlin visit was not a move to continue the team's Beijing success.

Champion

Sprint double champion Usain Bolt with two individual records - 100m (9.69) and 200m (19.30), along with a world record in the men's 4x100m (37.10) and Melaine Walker's 400m hurdles Olympic record (52.64), led the sprint onslaught for Jamaica.

"We do this for every world championships, it's called side visits ... not all countries take up the offer, but we always do," said Aris.

"We always send someone on these side visits to see what is there, pre-training camp, team attachés, all kind of things.

"This is not unusual," said Aris, who added the visit gave the association the opportunity to choose from the best available athletes' villages.

Like all major championships, a training camp is being planned, but details are not available.

"We are looking at a training camp as we are accustomed to, even though this time most of our athletes will be in Europe, so acclimatisation won't be a major issue," he said.

The World Championships will be held from August 15-23.