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U.S.-Jamaica sprint challenge delayed until 2010
By Gene Cherry Gene Cherry 1 hr 31 mins ago
SALVO, North Carolina (Reuters) – A proposed sprint showdown series between the United States and Jamaica has been delayed until 2010 because of scheduling conflicts, U.S. and Jamaican athletics officials said on Tuesday.
"We feel the stars will be aligned, literally and figuratively, next May and June for this series to really take off," USA Track & Field (USATF) chief executive Doug Logan said in a statement.
Logan proposed this month that the two countries, who boast the top sprinters in the world including Jamaican double world record holder Usain Bolt, meet in a pair of sprint-dominated, scored competitions, with one in each country, this spring.
But an already full athletics calendar prompted the countries to postpone the launch until 2010.
"We look forward to taking on our American friends in head-to-head competition in 2010," Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) president Howard Aris said in a statement.
"We are confident that this kind of team competition, featuring the most exciting events in athletics, will prove captivating to fans around the world."
BRAGGING RIGHTS
The series, as proposed, would feature men's and women's competitions in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, 100 hurdles (women), 110 hurdles (men), 400 hurdles, long jump and 4x100, 4x400 and sprint medley relays.
Bragging rights would be on the line for both countries, especially if they could lure top stars Bolt and U.S. world 100 and 200 meters champion Tyson Gay to the field.
Jamaica, led by the world-record 100 and 200 feats of Bolt, dominated the sprints at the 2008 Beijing Olympics a year after the U.S. produced the top sprinters at the 2007 world championships.
Managers for several Olympians who could participate in the series said in e-mails to Reuters after Logan's original proposal the idea was intriguing but came too late to work into the athletes' 2009 schedules.
They also questioned if May was too early for such a high-level competition and if sponsors would be willing to provide key financial support during these difficult times.
"We will be working with the Jamaican federation, our athletes and other stakeholders over the next 12-plus months to put together a top-tier event," Logan said.
(Editing by Ken Ferris. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
By Gene Cherry Gene Cherry 1 hr 31 mins ago
SALVO, North Carolina (Reuters) – A proposed sprint showdown series between the United States and Jamaica has been delayed until 2010 because of scheduling conflicts, U.S. and Jamaican athletics officials said on Tuesday.
"We feel the stars will be aligned, literally and figuratively, next May and June for this series to really take off," USA Track & Field (USATF) chief executive Doug Logan said in a statement.
Logan proposed this month that the two countries, who boast the top sprinters in the world including Jamaican double world record holder Usain Bolt, meet in a pair of sprint-dominated, scored competitions, with one in each country, this spring.
But an already full athletics calendar prompted the countries to postpone the launch until 2010.
"We look forward to taking on our American friends in head-to-head competition in 2010," Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) president Howard Aris said in a statement.
"We are confident that this kind of team competition, featuring the most exciting events in athletics, will prove captivating to fans around the world."
BRAGGING RIGHTS
The series, as proposed, would feature men's and women's competitions in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, 100 hurdles (women), 110 hurdles (men), 400 hurdles, long jump and 4x100, 4x400 and sprint medley relays.
Bragging rights would be on the line for both countries, especially if they could lure top stars Bolt and U.S. world 100 and 200 meters champion Tyson Gay to the field.
Jamaica, led by the world-record 100 and 200 feats of Bolt, dominated the sprints at the 2008 Beijing Olympics a year after the U.S. produced the top sprinters at the 2007 world championships.
Managers for several Olympians who could participate in the series said in e-mails to Reuters after Logan's original proposal the idea was intriguing but came too late to work into the athletes' 2009 schedules.
They also questioned if May was too early for such a high-level competition and if sponsors would be willing to provide key financial support during these difficult times.
"We will be working with the Jamaican federation, our athletes and other stakeholders over the next 12-plus months to put together a top-tier event," Logan said.
(Editing by Ken Ferris. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Bolt dominated the field in the men's sprint events in Beijing
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