Pre-World Championships camp a success, says technical leader
DESPITE the no-show of Usain Bolt, the very late arrival of the 15 MVP athletes and the injury to Kemar Bailey-Cole, Jamaica’s technical leader Maurice Wilson deemed a pre-championship the training camp in Japan a success.
“The camp was a success. The athletes and coaches developed good camaraderie, and athletes were able to train with coaches available at the track two sessions per day,” Wilson noted.
“The drawback was not being able to get in more effective relay practice sessions,” he added.
Wilson told the Jamaica Observer that their hosts in Tottori, Japan showered the team with “love and support”, and for that they are grateful.
The Jamaican delegation is expected in Beijing today for the 15th edition of the IAAF World Championships set to begin on August 22 and ending eight days later.
At the 2013 Moscow World Championship in Russia, Jamaica took home nine medals, inclusive of six gold, two silver and a bronze. Once again, expectations are high.
“We expect the team to give their best for their country and, by extension, represent themselves with distinction,” said Wilson.
Jamaica will have to do without their reigning Commonwealth Games 100m champion, Bailey-Cole, who tore his hamstring at the training camp in Japan. He was replaced by a most worthy competitor in Nesta Carter in the 100m.
But Bailey-Cole’s withdrawal from the Championship is not expected to affect Jamaica’s hopes of surpassing the nine medals won in 2013.
Bolt is listed for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay as he attempts a historic back-to-back gold medal treble, but his dominance is threatened by in-form American Justin Gatlin.
Shelly Fraser-Pryce will seek the double in the 100m and the 4×100 m relay, having decided not to defend her 200m title. Still, Elaine Thompson, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Sherone Simpson are more than capable of getting medals for their team.
A look at the overall make-up of this 53-member Jamaican team indicates that the nine-medal haul in 2013 could be surpassed in Beijing.