Jamaica’s double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson headlines some stellar line-ups for the 15th staging of the Jamaica International Invitational (JII) Meet at the National Stadium on Saturday, May 19.

Last year produced two world-leading times, nine meet records and a Jamaican national record in the men’s 3,000m by Kemoy Campbell, and meet chairman Dr Warren Blake is expecting more outstanding performances this year.

“We are paying over US$200,000 in prize monies and a significant amount in appearance fees. Despite our costs, we have already signed many of the world’s best,” noted Dr Blake, who is also the president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

Our fans will notice this year that the atmosphere will be comparable to any Diamond League meet.

“This is the only meet in this region that is capable to be compared to a Diamond League meet,” he added.

“We want to thank our sponsors who have partnered with us over these years and we will build a brand awareness for all,” said Blake.

The JII is an area permit meet and as stipulated by the IAAF, there will be 12 core events for both men and women.

The ladies will compete in the 200m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, long jump, shot put and hammer throw. The male events are 100m, 800m, 3,000m, 400m hurdles, high jump and triple jump.

The four discretionary events are the 200m and 400m for men and the 100m, 400m and 400m hurdles for women.

Thompson, who became the first woman in 28 years to capture the 100m-200m double at the Rio Olympics in 2016, will line up in the 200m and will face the fastest Jamaican this year in Shericka Jackson.She competes also against three Americans in Kimberley Duncan, Phyllis Francis and Kyra Jefferson, with the latter having a personal best of 22.02 seconds.

The women’s 100m will see a return to local action for Olympic silver medallist Kerron Stewart and she will match strides with Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, Christania Williams, Gayon Evans and Natasha Morrison.

The seventh fastest woman in history over the 100m hurdles, American Jasmin Stowers with a personal best of 12.35, has been confirmed and will take on the promising Jamaican Yanique Thompson and Megan Simmonds.

Jamaica’s freshly minted Commonwealth Games champions shot putter Danniel Thomas-Dodd, steeplechaser Aisha Praught-Leer and 400m hurdler Janieve Russell are also booked. However, Praught- Leer will compete in the 1500m.

American Lashawn Merritt is down for the 200m, along with his countryman Aaron Brown and young Jamaican Chad Walker who has a personal best of 20.3.

Julian Forte will hold the fort for Jamaica in the 100m where he will be up against Americans Mike Rodgers and Ron Baker and the veteran Kittian Kim Collins.

Javon Francis, Demish Gaye and national record holder Rusheen McDonald are down for the 400m and will face Kevin Borlee of Belgium, Brandon Taplin of Grenada and American Paul Dedewo.

Tickets will go on sale on May 16 and patrons are asked to pay $4,500 for Finish Line; $3,000 for Grandstand A and $1,500 for Grandstand B. Bleachers will cost $400.

— Howard Walker