AMERICAN-BORN sprinter Andrew Hudson is disappointed that he will not be making his competitive debut for Jamaica at the World Athletics Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon July 15-24, but says he understands the situation.

Hudson, whose father Andrew senior hails from Kingston and who won the men’s 200m at the recent Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Senior Championships at the National Stadium, fell short of being eligible to wear the black, gold and green by a mere two weeks following his transfer from the USA.

His period of eligibility starts on July 28, it was said, three days after the end of the championships, but he hopes that he will be cleared in time for the Commonwealth Games and the NACAC Senior Championships set for August.

“I was very disappointed, more because I wouldn’t be effective just a few days after the championships,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Monday. “I felt as if my eligibility to represent Jamaica was held until after World Championships for a reason. I’m not sure why but I respect the decision as I’m sure it was done in fairness.”

The former Texas Tech representative is one of two athletes who were transferring, as former Great Britain middle distance runner Adelle Tracey was cleared by World Athletics a week ago and will contest the 800m and 1500m in Eugene and also at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Hudson ran 20.10 seconds (0.5m/s) to win the 200m on the final day of the four day championships, beating 100m champion Yohan Blake to the line with Nigel Ellis taking third place.

Hudson said while he was “excited” at the prospect of running for Jamaica at the World Championships, he said they were always aware of the possibility that he would not be cleared in time.

“I was very excited to have the possibility of representing Jamaica after winning ‘trials’,” he said, “but also knew there was a chance this would not happen [while] waiting on World Athletics approval.” He said he and his team were always in contact with the JAAA, who he said “contacted me and told me I would be approved to represent, but not until after World Championships.”

Hudson said: “Yes JAAA and my team knew the possibilities of my approval not going through in time for worlds but we were all optimistic on getting a timely response, which we did, just not the response we were looking for,” adding that “I’m not sure if a letter was written to worlds on my behalf to expedite the process.”

He is already looking ahead but said he wanted to make the team to the Commonwealth Games on his own merit, and hopefully not at the expense of another athlete.

“The Commonwealth team had been previously selected before my arrival,” he said. “We are in works currently to see if I can be added to the team to compete as long as it doesn’t interfere with other athletes’ team selection. I don’t want any athlete to be removed from the team so I can take their well-earned selection.”

Hudson shared that he is still in dialogue with the Jamaican track and field federation as he anticipates his first chance to run for the country.

“Yes we are in communication to further inquire about my Commonwealth Games selection and NACAC Championships,” he ended.