Galaxy of Caribbean Stars Descend on Rome

While the track and field world is anxious to see what Usain Bolt will do after his less than impressive 10.04 seconds (100m) performance at the Ostrava World Challenge (Czech Republic) last week, along with his first head to head battle with fellow countryman Asafa Powell, the Rome Diamond League meet schedule for Thursday May 31, will provide a more vivid picture of the other likely medal contenders for London 2012.  Bolt who has a world-leading time 9.82 seconds in the 100m heading into Rome is confidence personified based on his attitude and responses during the pre-race conferences. Bolt in the past few days has dismissed comments made by American Justin Gatlin saying “There is a lot of a guy that he (Justin) will have to go through before he gets to me.”  With Bolt locked-in and focus on Rome as well as his desire to erase memories of his lackluster performance in Ostrava, it is very difficult to envision Bolt running two “bad races” in a row. Therefore Powell, Kim Collins (St Kitts), Lerone Clarke (Jamaica) and the fast-improving Jacques Harvey (Jamaica) will likely contend for the minor places. Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre who is also scheduled to compete should not be overlooked. With no Jeter or VCB, who will step up in the Women’s 100m? The absence of Carmelita Jeter, Veronica Campbell-Brown (VCB) and Allyson Felix, should provide the perfect opportunity for reigning Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (SAFP) to separate herself from the rest of the pack in the women’s 100m. With her bullet start and her recent 200m venture, SAFP is justifiably be the slight favorite for this event. SAFP will face strong challenges from a very talented group including Kerron Stewart (Jamaica), Sherone Simpson (Jamaica), Gloria Asumu (Nigeria) and Mikele Barber (USA). Murielle Ahoure (Ivory Coast), Laverne Jones-Ferrette (Virgin Island) and the fast-improving Schillonie Calvert (Jamaica) can also factor in the final outcome, should SAFP falter. Women’s 400m Hurdles The three medalists at the 2011 Daegu world championships will face the starter  in what could be a preview of the women’s 400m hurdles final in London.  The Jamaican duo of Melanie Walker and Kaliese Spencer will again match stride with American Lashinda Demus.  Walker who won the 400m hurdles at the Jamaica Invitational on May 5^th should be ready to capture the top spot in this event. Spencer the reigning Diamond League 400m hurdles champion will certainly use this race to gauge her fitness for London and the ever-prepared Demus will also be ready to compete.     Can Trinidad’s Jehue Gordon Claim the top spot? So much was expected from Jehue Gordon when he took 4^th place in the 400m hurdles at the 2009 Berlin World championship in a lifetime best 48.26 seconds as a 17 year old. So far Gordon has failed to live up to those expectations. However, Gordon who is now 20 years old and who trains in Trinidad has been running very well of late and seems to be in the midst of a mild rebirth.  Gordon has a season best 48.89 seconds in the 400m hurdles and has shown signs that he could possibly contend for a spot on the podium in London. In Rome, Gordon will have to contend with a veteran group, which includes Bershawn “Batman” Jackson, Javier Culson (Puerto Rico), Felix Sanchez (Dominica Republic), LJ VAN ZYL (South Africa) and David Greene (Great Britain). This is an evenly match field with “Batman” Jackson being the slight favorite. Rome could be the ideal venue for Gordon to put his older competitors on notice.