JII CONTINUES TO GROW AND TO EXCITE

In 2010, the seventh year of the Jamaica Invitational, the organizers would have been surprised at the massive turnout for the meet held at the National Stadium. In hindsight, the star power on show would have certainly been a significant contributor. Who would not want to be at a meet where world and Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt as well as Tyson Gay, Carmelita Jeter, Kerron Stewart, and Veronica Campbell Brown were down to participate.

It was also a year following Jamaica’s amazing showing at the 13th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin where Jamaica’s star athletes reaped a rich bounty of medals – 13, including seven gold medals. The country was still abuzz about the exploits of Bolt, Campbell Brown, Walker, Fraser (now Fraser Pryce), Foster Hylton, and the sprint relay squads.

From very early on it was clear that the turnout was going to be unprecedented. When the meet began back in 2003, the grandstand at the National Stadium was about two-thirds full. Seven years later, an hour before the meet was scheduled to begin the grandstand was jam-packed and the anticipation palpable.

In 2011, there would be no Bolt, no Gay, but still there was a list of world class athletes still on show. There was only a couple thousand people less than in 2010 but still a very large gathering, more than 20,000 and what they got was a show that rivaled and in many ways exceeded last year’s meet.

Carmelita Jeter dropped a fantastic 10.86s to win the women’s 100-metre sprint and Yohan Blake dropped a jaw-dropping 9.80-second run over the distance – albeit slightly wind-aided. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce (22.10s) smoked a 200-metre field that included two-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell Brown;  Kenia Sinclair ran an impressive and world-leading 1:58.42 for the 800 metres, and Novelene Williams put on a show in defeating world champion Sanya Richards Ross and a quality field that included 2010 Diamond League 400mh champion Kaliese Spencer, and American Dee Dee Trotter.

Even though the wind was 2.2 metres per second, marginally above the allowable 2 m/s, Yohan Blake had tongues wagging after he destroyed a quality field that included Michael Frater, who was fourth in 9.98s his fastest season opener ever, Mike Rodgers and Darvis Patton. When one considers that Nesta Carter dropped 9.78s in Rieti last year tying him with Tyson Gay for last year’s fastest time over the 100m, it is not a a far stretch to envision Jamaica fielding four men capable of 9.7 seconds and faster for the sprint relay team that will set out to defend its title at the World Championships in South Korea in late August.

On the distaff side of things Jeter, the affable American, continues to be a thorn in the side of the Jamaican women who have dominated the last three major championships. Veronica Campbell Brown and Shelly Ann Fraser have between them won the last two World Championship and Olympic sprint titles, but Jeter seems out to break that dominance. Her 10.86-c locking is just another sign that she means business again this year. Not all is lost, however, as Fraser Pryce doesn’t look like she is likely to relinquish her sprint title to anyone. Her 22.10 over 200 metres, shows that she is doing everything possible to run faster and keep the fast closing Jeter at bay in the finals of the short sprint in Daegu.

Injury has played a critical role in the fortunes of half of Jamaica’s powerful sprint quartet. Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart are recovering from injury. The two women who shared silver medals at the Beijing Olympics after officials were unable to separate them, again demonstrated symmetry clocking 11.07s for  third and fourth respectively in the 100m but the signs are there that they will be much faster in the next month of so. Simpson, her surgically repaired knee finally stable, and Stewart with her torn hamstring getting stronger daily, demonstrated that they will be back to their very best and will present another formidable challenge for the Americans this summer.

In the longer sprints, Jamaica is proving that it will be even more than a handful than it was before. Usain Bolt is the king of that hill. However, Steve Mullings demonstrated in 2009 that he is also a medal contender when he finished fifth in the Berlin world championships finals in 19.98s. He clocked a breathtaking 9.90s (2m/s) earlier this season and again demonstrated that he will be challenging for a medal in Daegu finishing second on Saturday in an impressive 20.15s.

However, it was his training partner Nickel Ashmeade who really impressed, winning the event in a world-leading 19.96 seconds. The former St. Jago star, who Blake’s teammate, had promised so much last season before injury but he is back this season and this sub-20 clocking adds welcome depth to Jamaica’s powerful but shallow talent pool in the event.

Jermaine Gonzales almost brought his coach Bert Cameron to tears following his performance on the night. Bert wasn’t emotional because Gonzales didn’t win. Bert was overjoyed by the fact that his athlete in running 45.52s is ahead of schedule. After his successful international season last year during which he broke the national record, Gonzales underwent knee surgery at the end of the season. Recovery time was expected to be about six weeks. It turned out to be four months. Both athlete and coach were happy and now there is much expectation for the humble Tacious Golding alum, who many expect to challenge for a medal this summer.

There were many other memorable performances at the meet that continues to grow from strength to strength. That is was also streamed into 160-million households worldwide is perhaps the most tell-tale sign of how much the meet and its organizers have grown and continues to generate the kind of interest that stands to benefit Jamaica in the years to come.