RACERS Grand Prix Organising Committee Chairman Glen Mills says that spectators are in for exceptional performances at this year’s event, thanks to the calibre of confirmed athletes for the event.

The meet, now in its sixth staging, will take place on June 1 at the National Stadium. Among the competitors, American World Championships triple gold medallist Noah Lyles is set to compete in the men’s 100m, alongside Jamaica’s rising sprinter Oblique Seville, Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, and Canada’s Aaron Brown. In the women’s 100m field, reigning World Indoor 60m champion Julian Alfred of St Lucia, Jamaica’s national junior 100m record holder Alana Reid, and her compatriot Ramona Burchell will feature.

“It is the Olympic year and what we have this year is quality in the fields,” Mills said. “The depth and quality is very outstanding in all the fields that we have because in the 100m for men, although we have three outstanding competitors, all the other competitors are under 10 seconds.

“I think that when you look at the men’s 400m for men, all the eight competitors are under 45 seconds so the quality and depth of the competition is very good this year.

“The women’s and men’s hurdles make for very exciting races — and that is key for the enjoyment of the spectators. You can get a chance to see where you are and what you need to go back home to do.”

Sport Minister Olivia Grange reaffirmed the Government’s commitment of $10 million for this year’s meet.

“I am always pleased to support an event that showcases Jamaica and our athletes’ prowess,” she said. “The Racers Grand Prix is well-organised and its profile is broadcast worldwide. Numerous overseas athletes will be here, and our athletes will rise to the occasion. It’s important to invest in events like this — and that’s what I’m doing as minister of sport.”

Reigning 400m World champion Antonio Watson leads the field for the event which also includes his compatriots Demish Gaye, Zandrion Barnes, and Javon Francis, alongside competitors from the USA and the United Arab Emirates. Reigning Olympic 110m hurdles champion Hansle Parchment heads a strong field of competitors down to contest that event at the meet. The event will also feature his countrymen Damion Thomas and Tyler Mason. Trey Cunningham and Freddie Crittenden of the USA are also down to compete in the event.

World Under-20 triple jump record holder Jaydon Hibbert leads a field of five confirmed participants for the event.

Mills encourages everyone to attend and support this year’s meet.

“I am imploring the fans to come and support the meet because without them we don’t have a meet,” he said.

“The fans are the key to us having the meet because the more fans we have, the more sponsors are interested; and the more fans we have, the greater the athletes perform, and so everything is predicated on two things: sponsors and fans, as they make the meet. If we don’t have them, then we can’t be successful.”