STELLAR performances are expected over the next three days as the premier Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's (JAAA's) National Athletics Championship starts today the National Stadium.

Some 550 athletes - minus 2006 Sportswoman of the Year Sherone Simpson - have indicated their intent to participate in the weekend's action to select two Junior and Senior teams for four competitions this summer.

The Pan American Junior Championships in Fortaleza, Brazil from July 6-8; Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 18-22; the World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic from July 23-29; and the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, Japan, from August 24-September 2, are the meets for which teams will be chosen.

Simpson indicated earlier this week that she would not be competing because of a hip injury, while 400m runner Jermaine Gonzales has also withdrawn with an injury.
"A couple of weeks ago at the Reebok meet I got a strain so for precautionary reasons I'm pulling out," Gonzales said.
However, Organising Committee Chairman, Ludlow Watts, told the Observer that Simpson was the only athlete from which the JAAA had received a medical certificate asking to be excused from the meet.
Simpson, who was 2006's top female sprinter, may still be eligible to be selected for the World Championships once she is declared fit in good time.

According to selection criteria, athletes with a top-three world ranking who are ill or injured at the time of the Championships may still be considered, but must prove their world-ranking form prior to the final submission of entries for the competition.
Athletes placing in the top-three positions in all events will be selected, provided they have attained the qualifying 'A' standard for the competition.

Meanwhile, all Jamaica's other top athletes should be in action. World's fastest man Asafa Powell will compete only in the event for which he holds the world record - the men's 100m.
There were earlier speculations that Powell would add the 200m to his list ahead of Osaka, having raced in the event at the Prefontaine Classic weeks ago, but MVP president Bruce James told the Observer this would not be the case.

James said barring injury the full cadre of the MVP camp would be in action, including World Championships 100m silver medallist Michael Frater, World Junior 400m Hurdles champion Kaliese Spencer, and World Championships 100m hurdles bronze medallist Brigitte Foster-Hylton.

Teen sensation Yohan Blake, who in April set a new National 100m Junior record (10.11), will be racing in his first senior race and will come up against the likes of Powell and Frater.
Blake told the Observer that despite being only 17, the competition will be good for him.
"I'm just going to go out there and do my best and improve my time," he said. "Even though I'm young I think I can handle it and the big guys will push me faster."

Nineteen finals - 12 of them field events - will be contested on the first day of competition. The long jump and discus throw (Under-18 girls, Under-20 girls and Senior women); javelin throw and triple jump (Under-18 boys, Under-20 boys and Senior men); 1500m Master men and women, 5000m Under-20 boys and Senior men and 300m Under-18 and Under-20 girls and Senior men are the finals to be contested.
Watts told the Observer it promises to be a good weekend.

"Everything is going smoothly and we should have a good Championships in terms of quality of events," he said.
He added that teams ought to be selected within a few days of the Championships.

Only the Grandstand will be opened for the three days of competition, though Watts said if needs be the Bleachers would also be opened. Admission is $500 for Regular seating and $700 for the Finish Line.
Action starts at 4:30 pm today, 4:00 pm on Saturday and 3:10 pm on Sunday.

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