ARIS

The proposed Sprint Challenge between the world's two powerhouses, Jamaica and the United States (US), could include just two races this year.

USA Track and Field (USATF) is trying desperately to have the contest go ahead, but Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association's (JAAA) president, Howard Aris, believes the sprint relays in the May 2 Jamaica Invitational meet sound like the most likely challenges for this year.

"What could happen this year is a couple events in our May meet," Aris said yesterday, while pointing out that this was communicated to director of high performance programmes at USATF, Peter J. 'Duffy' Mahoney.

Competition

If the US accepts this proposal, Aris, who is also chairman of the Jamaica International Invitational meet, an IAAF Area Permit Meeting, said they would likely field two teams each or invite a few more countries.

Mahoney, in a letter to Aris and Garth Gayle, secretary of the JAAA, had asked that a 2009 clash be considered.

Mahoney said that after reviewing the IAAF's and NACAC's calendars, very few dates are available for such a home-and-away competition.

He called for one meet to be held on May 17 in the US consisting of the same individual and relays events as were listed in their original challenge letter.

However, while Mahoney realised the May 17 date would clash with IAAF-sanctioned meets in Puerto Rico and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he believed that owing to the fact that only a few athletes from Jamaica and USA competed at those meets in 2008, it should not be a problem.

IAAF's approval

Mahoney, according to Aris, would seek the IAAF's approval for the challenge meet. The JAAA is in discussion with NACAC and its president, Neville 'Teddy' McCook, who is also IAAF's area representative.

"McCook is going to take our concerns to the IAAF Council meeting next week, and once that's out (of the way), we can decide where we are going to start," Aris said.

He added that Jamaica remained interested in the meet. "We are interested, but we have to see if it is in Jamaica's interest, in terms of our programmes, and other conditions, like the athletes who are going to compete and TV rights."

In their first correspondence, Douglas G. Logan, general secretary and chief executive officer at USATF, had proposed the meets would feature male and female athletes in the 100, 200 and 400 metres; 100/110m hurdles and 400m hurdles; long jump; and the 4x100, 4x400 and sprint medley relays.