THERE will be a powerful Jamaican contingent at today’s Adidas Grand Prix Diamond League meeting at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York led by 2012 Olympic medallists Veronica Campbell Brown and Warren Weir.

The New York event is the third stop on the 14-meet circuit and almost 30 Jamaicans are down to take part in what organisers say is the deepest field of talent ever at this meet.

Tyson Gay, with the fastest 100 metres in the world so far this year, and Sanya Richards-Ross, running for the first time since the London Olympics, are among the top athletes taking part.

Gay, the 100 and 200 world champion from 2007, who is considering the 200 for this year’s Worlds in Moscow, won the Jamaica International Invitational earlier this month in a world and season-best 9.86 seconds and hopes for similar speed today.

Two-time Olympic 4×100 relay champion Nesta Carter, second at the Kingston race in 10.03, will test Gay again alongside 2008 Olympic 100m runner-up Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago, and US 2012 4×100 relay Olympian Ryan Bailey.

The 100m will have a semi-final at 12:30 pm (Jamaica time) and then the final just over 90 minutes later, and Nikel Ashmeade, the world leader in the 200m; Kemar Bailey-Cole, who is eyeing a sub-10.00-second time; and Jacques Harvey are also in the line-up.

Reigning Olympic 400 champion Richards- Ross, who underwent right big toe surgery after the London Games, has undergone a lengthy rehabilitation to make sure she is prepared for the run to the World Championships.

The New York field features last year’s five top 400 women, including the past three world champions — 2007 world and 2008 Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain, 2009 world champ Richards-Ross and reigning world champion Amantle Montsho of Botswana, who has this year’s world-best time of 49.88.

Add Jamaicans Novlene Williams-Mills and Sherika Williams and American Francena McCorory and Richards-Ross will have an early idea of the challenge she might face in Moscow.

Christine Day, a member of the Jamaican team to London last year, who replaced Stephanie McPherson, and Patricia Hall, who has had a good early season so far, are also in the women’s 400m.

Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell Brown, a two-time Olympic champion and reigning 200 world champion, will be tested by American Bianca Knight, who helped the US 4×100 relay team take Olympic gold, as she bids for a 100- 200 World double.

Reigning world 100 champion Carmelita Jeter goes up against US compatriot Tianna Madison and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly- Ann Baptiste, third at the 2011 worlds.

Anniesha McLaughlin, who ran a personal best in the 100m last weekend, and Olympic relay silver medallist Sherone Simpson will add depth to the 200m.

The men’s 200m will not be part of the Diamond League list today, but Weir, who won in Shanghai last weekend, will start favourite to win today in a field that will include compatriots Ramone McKenzie and Mario Forsythe.

Aleen Bailey and Schillonie Calvert will line up against Americans Mikelle Barber and Tiana Madison, as well as Nigerian Gloria Asumnu.

Former Jamaican 110m hurdles record holder Dwight Thomas, who is on the comeback from knee injury, is entered for his pet event and will face a strong field with the likes of former world champion Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados; Americans Joel Brown, Antwon Hicks and Jeff Porter; and Cuba’s Orlando Ortega, who has run 13.17 seconds — the second fastest in the world so far this year.

Meanwhile, the men’s 400m will see a handful of Jamaicans including Allodin Fothergill, Nicholas Maitland, Riker Hylton, Ricardo Chambers, and Dewayne Barrett taking part, and will test former world champion Jeremy Wariner of the US and Belgian Kevin Borlee as well as American Tony McQuay.

Women’s national discus record holder Allyson Randall and javelin competitor Kateema Riettie are also expected to take part.