Jamaica to figure prominently in USA vs The World series
PHILADELPHIA, USA — A number of Jamaican teams are expected to take on their American counterparts and runners from several other countries in the USA vs The World series on today’s third and final day of the 119th Penn Relays Carnival in Philadelphia.
The Jamaicans are expected to contest four events, the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays in a series that has gained immense popularity since they were introduced in 2000.
Up to yesterday, the full squads were not available, but earlier Olympic relay gold medal winner Nesta Carter was named to lead the men’s sprint relay team that will also include Jason Young, Kimari Roach, Rasheed Dwyer and relay gold medallist at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu in 2011, Dexter Lee.
The USA will field a team that should include Olympic silver relay medallists Justin Gatlin, Trell Kimmons, Ryan Bailey, Doc Patton and Jeff Demps, while other international challengers include The Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will lead the Jamaican team that should include Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.
With Carmelita Jeter being sidelined with an injury, the USA will not be able to field their world record-setting squad from London last year, but will still be formidable with the likes of Allyson Felix, Tianna (nee’ Madison) Bartoletta and Bianca Knight.
The Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago will also field teams.
Three members of the bronze medal-winning Jamaican women 4x400m team — Christine Day, Shericka Williams and Novlene Mills — will be part of the foursome to take on the USA that will have 2012 Olympic gold medallists Sanya Richards-Ross, Allyson Felix, DeeDee Trotter, and Francena McCorory.
The United Kingdom, Russia, Nigeria, Canada, and The Bahamas and Russia will also be in action.