Jamaicans galore at London GP

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

Track and field fans are in for a treat this weekend, as most of the world's top athletes, including 14 Jamaicans, will be in action in the two-day Diamond League Aviva London Grand Prix Track and Field Meet in London starting tomorrow.

One of the highlights of the meet will be the men's 100 metres which will see action on Friday's opening day, as all the top sprinters except for Usain Bolt will be in action.

Yohan Blake along with training partner Mario Forsythe and former record holder Asafa Powell will lead the Jamaica charge while the United States will see their two top athletes in the event this year, Tyson Gay and Walter Dix, along with Trell Kimmons and Wallace Spearmon challenging the Jamaicans. Trinidad and Tobago's Richard Thompson is also down to compete.

Gay is on a high after defeating both Powell and Bolt in his last two appearances and will want to continue that trend. Powell, the world's joint leader in the event along with Bolt with 9.82 seconds, will want to redeem himself after looking a likely winner in Gateshead before easing up too early, allowing Gay to snatch victory by two-hundredths of a second.

World leader Jermaine Gonzales, who is back to full fitness after years of absence, will be hoping to continue his great form when he takes on teammate Ricardo Chambers and the United States' Jeremy Wariner in the men's 400 metres.

Returned to competition

World Championships 100 metres hurdle bronze medallist Delloreen Ennis-London, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart will also compete on the opening day. London will have her hands full in the women's 100 metres hurdles as the field will include form athlete Sally Pearson of Australia who halted the United States' Lolo Jones winning run in Lucerne a few days ago. Canada Priscilla Lopes-Schliep and NCAA double champion Queen Harrison of the United States are also down to compete.

Simpson and Stewart, who just recently returned to competition after an injury, will face the United States' Allison Felix in the women's 200 metres.

The other Jamaican athletes who will bow into action on Saturday include form runner Kaliese Spencer who is expected to continue her winning ways in the women's 400 metres hurdles where she will be joined by countrywoman Nickeisha Wilson, the CAC Senior Games champion .

Following moderate performances on Sunday in Lucerne, Shericka Williams who was third and Novlene Williams who was sixth will be hoping for improved performances in the women's 400 metres.

Simpson, along with Aleen Bailey and Schillone Calvert, will face the starter in the women's 100 metres, where the United States' Carmelita Jeter and Trinidad and Tobago's Kellyann Baptist are also listed to compete.

Madrea Hyman will be the 'rabbit' once again in the women's 3000 metres Steeple-Chase while Dwight Thomas will be the other individual competitor for Jamaica as he will compete in the men's 110 metres hurdles with the United States' David Oliver the favourite. Jamaica are also expected to participate in the men's 4x100 metres relay where they will challenge two teams from Great Britain.