THERE is an air of expectation as Olympic Games Men’s 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson is set to make his indoor 60m debut at Astana Indoor Meet for Amin Tuyakov Prizes in Astana, Kazakhstan, today.

Thompson, who ran a world-leading 6.48 seconds (-2.1m/s) at the Central Hurdles, Relays and Field Events meet at G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sport a week ago, is one of four Jamaicans down to contest the Men’s 60m. Another four Jamaicans are set to compete in the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event.

The national 100m champion and joint ninth-fastest all time over the 100m, is the fifth-fastest Jamaican ever over 60 metres. He is only behind national record holder and World Athletics Indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake (6.42), Asafa Powell (6.44), Yohan Blake (6.45) and Lerone Clarke (6.47).

Newcomer Nishion Ebanks, who was second in the men’s race in 6.54 at G C Foster a week ago; former national 100m champion Rohan Watson, who was third in 6.61; and Michael Thompson will contest the event which will be run over two rounds.

Oman’s Ali Anwar Al Balushi, who has a personal best of 6.50, and Canada’s Andre DeGrasse are also down to compete in the event.

Olympic women’s 100m finalist Tia Clayton and her sister Tina are expected to line up in the Women’s 60m race.

Hurdles specialist Janieve Russell is to run the Women’s 400m where she will line up against Barbados’s Jamaican-based Sada Williams. Great Britain’s Amarachi Pipi, who has the best time so far this season of 51.67, is down to run, as well as American Jessica Wright (season’s best of 52.37) and Kazakhstan’s Alexandra Zalyubovskaya (season’s best of 53.98).

Christoff Bryan is set to compete in the Men’s High Jump event.

— Paul A Reid