Reach! - Gibson Relays to light up 'Stadium' track today

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer

Saturday, February 25, 2012

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Organisers of today's 36th staging of the Gibson Relays are confident that the absence of sprint superstar Usain Bolt will not affect the attendance or the quality of today's performances at the National Stadium.

Bolt's connections sent out a one-line release on Thursday saying that due to his recent "unscheduled trip, which resulted in his training disruption the coach, Glen Mills, has decided that Usain will not take part in the Gibson Relays".

The double World Record holder had missed the Camperdown Classics, his traditional season opener, two weeks ago for a trip to Europe, including a stop it was heard, to see renowned sport medicine doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt.

The sprinter, who has not competed on local soil since 2010 has, however, downplayed reports of injuries but has confirmed several appearances on the European circuit.

Winston Eulett, a member of the Gibson Relays organising committee, told Sporting World yesterday they were yet to be told officially of Bolt's withdrawal, but added he does not think the absence of an individual would affect what he described as "the greatest relay carnival in the world".

Eulett said: "We have entries from all the top clubs, Racers Lions, MVP and SWEPT and we expect the overseas entries to make an impact as well, so we don't expect any fall off from Bolt's absence."

He said all was in place for the successful staging of the event. "We are as ready as can be, all are in place for the meet to be successful," he said.

Eulett revealed that some of the overseas teams had arrived with others due in by mid afternoon yesterday.

Competition will start at 9:30 am today with the qualifying heats of the high school boys' 4x400m relays and expectations are that the competition will be fierce all day long.

In addition to the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m and Sprint Medley Relays, there will be competition in individual track and field events.

There will be long and high jump Open events for men and women, pole vault Open for men, 100m hurdles for women and 110m hurdles for men, one mile Open for men and women as well as 100m and 400m Open for men and women.

Coaches and managers of the top clubs yesterday were reluctant to give any information about the make-up of their teams for today, and despite the absence of Bolt from the Racers line-up, the competition is still expected to be of a high standard.

SWEPT TC set the bar two weeks ago when they beat MVP in the men's Clubs' 4x100m at the Milo Western Relays in Montego Bay in a World Leading 38.84 seconds with anchor leg runner Sheldon Mitchell running past MVP's Andrew Hinds to get to the line first.

The fireworks could start as early as the qualifying heats with SWEPT and MVP been drawn in the same qualifying heat along with UTech.

The top eight reams on time will advance from the four heats.

The MVP women's team had failed to finish the race in Montego Bay and will have added motivation today.

The high schools section will also have a lot of competition especially in the girls' section where Edwin Allen High will be seeking to repeat their feat of winning all four girls 4x100m relays at Western Relays.

While they will start favourites to take the Class Two event with the World Youth Championships medallist Christania Williams on anchor, but the Class One race should be a battle between three schools.

Vere Technical, who had crossed the line first in Montego Bay but was later disqualified for changing outside the box on the final change over, will be a threat as will Herbert Morrison Technical who had won at the Camperdown Classic in 45.78 seconds.

Green Island High's Class One 4x100m team that will be led by World Youth Championships 100m champion Odail Todd will seek to prove that they win at Western Relays was not a fluke, but will come up a against the Wolmer's team that should include Youth Olympic champion Odeen Skeen.

Green Island had run 40.50 seconds in Montego Bay two weeks ago then 41.10 seconds to win at Western Champs, while Manchester High had run 41.76 seconds to win at Camperdown.

Jamaica College have the fastest time among the Class Two boys so far this year with 41.41 seconds at Camperdown, while Kingston College ran 41.99 seconds to win at Western Relays and Herbert Morrison won easily at Western Champs in 42.61 seconds.

Munro College boys and Vere Technical girls will start favourites in the high schools 4x400m races after good early season times.

Munro, however, had to play second fiddle to STETHS at Western Champs as the winners won in three minutes 15.55 seconds, while Jamaica College won at Camperdown in three minutes 17.48 seconds.

In the field events, Wolmers' Boys' high jumper Christoff Bryan could go after the meet record of 2.24m set in 2004 by Garmaine Mason after clearing 2.20m at Western Relays.

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Reach! - Gibson Relays to light up 'Stadium' track today