Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Sprinter Asafa Powell sprints out of the block under the watchful eyes of his coach Stephen Francis while training at the National Stadium. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
THE WORLD'S fastest man, Asafa Powell, will open his 2006 season at next week's Queen's/Grace Jackson Track & Field Meet at the National Stadium East complex.
Despite speculation surrounding his fitness, Powell's participation was announced at a press conference by chairperson of the meet organising committee Olive McNaughton at The Queen's School yesterday.
The organisers will honour Powell for his support over the years.
They will also make a special presentation to Carol Cuffley, a Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) official who has served the sport for over 20 years.
Last week, Powell's coach, Stephen Francis was quoted as saying his ace sprinter is 'good to go'.
GOOD TO GO
"At this moment he is good to go, as good as he has ever been," Francis said after reports broke that Powell could miss the Commonwealth Games.
Powell is also down to run at the Milo/Western Relays and Gibson Relays set for Wednesday, February 25, at the National Stadium. He will leave for Australia the following day.
Other top MVP athletes will compete at the meet, including World Championships silver medallist Michael Frater, World Championships bronze medallist Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Olympic relay gold medallists Sherone Simpson, national 400m champion Shericka Williams, national junior 400m hurdles record holder Gregory Little, Ainsley Waugh and Winston Smith.
All other MVP athletes apart from Tayna Lawrence will also be on show at the meet, this according to group's manager Paul Francis.
Frater, Foster-Hylton, Simpson, Waugh and Smith will run the 400m events, while Williams will contest the 200m and Little the 800m event.
Usain Bolt from Glen Mills' camp could also run his second meet this season.
Mills said that all other athletes from his Racers Track Club and High Performance Training Centre will be considered to compete.
"We will enter then and make a decision based on the week's training," he told The Gleaner yesterday.
A number of top high school athletes will also run, including the St Jago pair of Natasha Ruddock and Lotaya King, Schillonie Calvert, Sonita Sutherland and Anastasia Le-Roy from Holmwood, Cawayne Jervis, Andre Wellington, and Leford Green from KC, former Calabar star Josef Robertson now competing for Wolmer's, Remaldo Rose of Camperdown, Samantha Henry of Queen's, Winston Barnes of JC, Sharnetta Stewart and Indira Spence of Vere, Manchester's Natoya Goule.
With the backing of sponsors, Locazade Sports, Glazco Smithcline, 4E, HD Hopwood, Adidas, WATA, Singer and Mega Mart, the meet is to raise funds for the school and it's sports programme. It also serves as a qualifier for Boys' and Girl's Champs.
