Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer

Danny Hawthorne, Jamaica's head coach at 6th IAAF World Youth Championships in Italy says he expects a good performance from the relatively small team.

The Championships, set for Bressanone, Italy, will be held over five days, July 8-12.

Hawthorne said: "We are quite optimistic; we are a very small team, but a team that is very potent. I am just looking forward to some sterling performances from these athletes and I know they are going to do it."

Jamaica's 21-member team left the island on Wednesday for Havana, Cuba, where they spent two days, en route to Italy via Spain.

At the last championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Jamaica took home nine medals. Two gold medals were won by Dexter Lee and Ramone McKenzie in the men's 100m and 200m, respectively.

Nickel Ashmeade was also impressive, winning silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m while Shermaine Williams, Latoya McDermott and Meisha-Gaye DaCosta pocketed 100m hurdles, 400m and high jump silver medals, respectively.

The medley relay teams, men and women, also came away with medals.

This time around, Hawthorne said he is not focusing on medals, but improved performances.

Improved performances

"I am not looking on any medals, but what I am looking for is improved performances from these athletes, and if this improvement gives us medals then I will be happy," he added.

Sprinter Deandre Whitehorne, 400m hurdlers Ristananna Tracey and world leader Danielle Dowie, Kemar Bailey-Cole (100m) and Sandrae Farquharson (400m) are among Jamaica's best bets for medals.

As for the two-day stopover in Havana, Hawthorne said this should help in different ways.

"It will help to better socialise ourselves ... but at the same time, we can do a little sharpening up to get ready for Italy," he added.

"We will be there in good health and ready to perform," he concluded.

The full contingent is:

Male athletes: Kemar Bailey-Cole, Adams Cummings, Wayne Hyman, A-Shawni Mitchell, Travis Smikle, Waquar DaCosta and Javere Bell.

Females: Deandre Whitehorne, Danielle Dowie, Peta-Gaye Reid, Rochelle Farquharson, Kimberly Williamson, Janieve Russell, Sandrae Farquharson, Shericka Moulton, Celia Walters, Seidath Palmer, Ristananna Tracey, Samantha Elliott, Keena Davis, and Chantal Duncan.

Head coach: Danny Hawthorne. Assistant coaches: Dalton Evans, Milton Brown and Hamlin Pagon.

Patricia Parkins will travel as team manager, Leroy Cooke as assistant manager, Carol Long, media liaison, while Dr Paul Wright will be the team doctor.