JN JII WAS AN AMAZING MEET

As I walked towards the National Stadium last week Saturday from Roosevelt Avenue, an hour before the Jamaica National Jamaica International Invitational was scheduled to get underway, I began to notice the significant numbers of people heading in the same direction.
It was about then that I began to estimate that this year’s meet was going to be well attended. I was thinking perhaps 10-15 thousand people were going to be at the national stadium to watch Usain Bolt, Carmelita Jeter, Kerron Stewart and a host of other world class athletes perform.
But even with my expectations of 15,000, my jaw still hit the floor once I climbed the stairs and walked into the grandstand. There were already 15,000 people there and another 15,000 outside waiting to get in!
Sure, we have seen the stadium full for track meets before – the final day of Champs, the World Youth Championships in 2002, but there had never been a crowd like this at a senior track meet. Never.
And they were not disappointed. There clash between Kerron Stewart (10.96) and 2009′s fastest woman, the lovely Carmelita Jeter (10.94)  lived up to expectations as the race went right down to the wire. Nesta Carter also impressed in the men’s 100 metres with a very good 10.09s. Clearly, he is going to run very fast this year. It was such a pity we did not get to see Yohan Blake as he false started and was eliminated.

American Chuante Howard was incredible in clearing a two metres to easily win the women’s high jump. It was heartening to see the crowd support her as she jumped higher and higher.

 Christian Cantwell also threw a world-leading 21.5 metres to win the shot putt.

And to top that all off, local super athlete Usain Bolt clocked the fourth fastest 200 metres in history when he won the 200 metre run in a mind-boggling 19.56 seconds. Any true track fan could not have asked for more.
It was such a pity Asafa Powell, Shelly Ann Fraser and Shericka Williams were not there but the show went on and went on well. In truth they were not missed.
Kudos to the JAAA and the organising committee for putting on such a wonderful show. The meet has definitely grown and evolved into a truly high-quality international meeting.
The JAAA are planning bigger things for the future and I am wishing them the best of luck because if this is a taste of what could be coming in the future, then I cant wait and neither can Jamaica.