Bruce J ames, president of the MVP Track Club, confirmed yesterday that the club had submitted a medical exemption request on behalf of up-and-coming sprint hurdler Rasheed Broadbell, who had a mishap in training last weekend and will miss the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Championships and Olympic qualifier which starts today.

“He hurt his leg while in training on Saturday morning and we submitted a medical exemption request to the JAAA Sunday, the day after the incident,” James told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. “It appears that the request has been approved based on what we have heard in the media.”

Broadbell has taken the men’s 110m hurdles by storm this year and has run a personal best 13.10 seconds and is ranked number three in the world.

The former St Jago High School standout was expected to be national record holder and world leader Omar McLeod’s main contender for the men’s 110m hurdles title this weekend.

James said Broadbell, who is Jamaica’s fourth-fastest male sprint hurdler, could run this weekend if he needed to, “but we did not think it is worth the risk since he is ranked in the top three in the world. It is best for him to wait until the following week when he is in Europe to start racing again, and we just hope he continues to heal and improve every day.”

According to the JAAA’s selection rules, athletes who want to be considered for selection but are injured must submit a medical certificate, but they must also be ranked in the top three in the world in their event to qualify for the exemption.

The athlete would also have to be examined by the JAAA’s medical doctor and would need to prove his/her fitness to be selected.

— Paul Reid