Portlanders lending a hand on Labour Day 12:38 PM
Free burgers for life 12:11 PM
IMF head Lagarde in fraud probe 11:26 AM
Broadcasting Commission cautions students on use of new media 11:24 AM
IDB supports sustainable energy for rural electrification in Haiti 9:59 AM
McLaughlin's PPM on track to form Cayman Islands govt 9:23 AM
Sport
Coach pleased with Jamaican Paralympians
BY PAUL A REID Observer Writer
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
BEDFORD, England — Neville Sinclair, head coach for Jamaica's Paralympic team, is pleased with his top three athletes after yesterday's final training session at the Bedford International athletics stadium here in East Anglia.
The six athletes who made the trip went through their routines and Sinclair told the Jamaica Observer he was "very pleased" as they showed in the last three to four days that "they are ready".
Only three of the six are certain to compete in the August 29 to September 9 meet given a quota system that was only explained to the team just prior to departure.
Sylvia Grant, who will be making her seventh appearance at the Games; Tanto Campbell and Alphanso Cunningham, former world record-holder in the F53 discus throw are certain to compete, barring any injuries.
Grant suffered a cut to a finger on her right throwing hand at the end of a long session with the javelin yesterday, but is expected to be okay.
The athletes will make the two-hour journey by bus to London for a meeting with Jamaican High Commissioner Aloun NDombet Assamba today before returning to the University of Bedfordshire before heading back to London tomorrow, where they will move into the Athletes Village for the Games.
Newcomer Toni Greaves is on a standby list in the javelin, but the cases for sprinters Javon Campbell and Shane Hudson are still uncertain.
Campbell, who competed at the ISSA Boys Champs in the Class One 100m where he made it to the semi-finals, was categorised by medical doctors as being "too strong" for his category, Christopher Zacca, president of the Jamaica Paralympic Association told the Jamaica Observer.
An appeal was, however, lodged and a hearing will be held on Friday in London. The Jamaicans are expecting a positive response in his favour.
Hudson, a silver medallist in the 200m at the ParaPan-American Games in Mexico last year and whose left arm is amputated just below the elbow, trains with the Racers Track Club but could find himself watchin from the sidelines due to the limitation on the number of athletes.
The six athletes have been training nonstop and Sinclair told the Observer following yesterday's session that he expects them to do well.
Cunningham will compete in both the discus and javelin. Tanto Campbell, the team captain, will compete in the F56 discus and Grant in the F57 the javelin.
"Tanto and Sylvia are big occasion athletes...," he said, adding that Cunningham could come close to the world record of 26.62 metres.
POST A COMMENT
HOUSE RULES
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.
2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Other Stories
Hotspur test! - Reggae Boyz engage Tottenham in warm-up
Dane Nelson to shine on Classy Prospect
France's Malouda donates to One Love Foundation
Brown fails in US Open qualifying bid
Overnight racing programme for Saturday, May 25, 2013
Miller, Cummins in Windies A-team to play Sri Lanka
I can no longer serve as JCA president, says Wright
German-born midfielder/defender Gordon ready to shore up Reggae Boyz
Stringent safety and security measures for Reggae Boyz WCQ in June
British journalist pens Lara's biography
Wizards suffer two losses in NBL
August Town aim for second win in NPL play-offs
Gibson confident of West Windies chances as camp opens in Barbados
Donald Quarrie top 18th MultiCare Champs
Bad weather dampens Boyz preparation
Fraser-Pryce, Felix 150m showdown off
We are here to win: Tottenham Hotspur send warning to Boyz


