OLYMPIC GAMES silver medallist Kishane Thompson will make his first local appearance this season when he competes in the 100 metres at today’s JAAA World Athletics Championship Prep Meet number one inside the National Stadium.
Thompson is the fastest Jamaican in the event this season with his 9.99-second clocking last month in China, behind winner Akani Simbine of South Africa, who did 9.98. The national champion will be eager to compete after twice being denied the opportunity to run in the men’s 4x100m at the recent World Relays in China. The baton failed to reach him due to two mishaps by the Jamaican team.
Other notable entrants in today’s event include Rohan Watson, who ran the opening leg of the relay at the World Relays; Nigel Ellis of Elite Performance, who won the men’s 100m at last weekend’s All Comers meet; Rasheed Foster of Mico, who competed in the preliminary round of the Mixed 4x100m relay at the World Relays; Kadrian Goldson of SprinTec; Adrian Kerr of Dynamic Speed and Tyquendo Tracy.
The preliminary round of the men’s 100m will get under way at 2 p.m., with the eight fastest athletes advancing to the A final. The next 16 fastest times will move on to the B and C finals.
The meet, organised by the JAAA to assist athletes in their preparations for this year’s National Championships, will award a cash prize of $50,000 to winners of select events who meet the specified standard. For the men’s 100m, that standard is 10.36 seconds.
Other events offering cash incentives upon achieving the qualifying standard include the women’s 100m (11.30), women’s 400m (52.50), men’s 110m hurdles (13.35), men’s discus throw (59.00m), and women’s shot put 15.80m. Only local-based athletes are eligible for these incentives.
The meet, which will also feature events for junior athletes, will run for six hours, with the men’s senior 400m set to close proceedings at 8:45 p.m.
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