Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
GATLIN
WORLD SPRINT star Justin Gatlin and Olympic 200m champion Shawn Crawford will grace the second annual Douglas Forrest Development meet with their presence once again.
Gatlin, who won the Olympic 100m and was third in the 200m, and Crawford, along with Jamaica's Dwight Thomas, Otis Harrison, Demitre Washington and Rodney Martin and Moshani Robinson will be among the Trevor Graham-coached athletes set to touch down on Tuesday.
NEGOTIATIONS ON
Both American stars, along with Marcus Brunson and Lisa Barber, Jamaicans Thomas and Patrick Jarrett and the Bahamas' Chandra Sturrup, attended last year's meet, during which time they trained and visited schools.
While it not yet confirmed if they will run, as negotiations are still taking place, the chairman of the organising committee, Brian Smith, said the athletes were keen on coming back.
"Jamaica is a name-brand country .... So it's not difficult to get people to come to Jamaica.
"When I was approached in Helsinki again they asked if they were invited to come to Jamaica, I said sure, you are welcome."
Apart from the current stars, world long jump record holder Mike Powell will be the patron of the meet.
VARIED EVENTS
Meanwhile, the meet, which is set to start at 9:00 a.m., will open with the 400m hurdles for boys and girls.
There will be no Class Four events and only the 200m, 800m 400m, 110m hurdles, long jump and high jump events will attract athletes in the other classes.
The 100m hurdles for girls will be in Classes One and Two, likewise the 1500m and shot put for boys and girls.
Like the 400m hurdles, the triple jump for boys and girls is open, as well as the 4x400m.
Special Olympians have been invited to run the 200m.
Teams from United States and Cayman Islands have confirmed their participation.
