U.S.-Jamaica Sprint Showdown Series Delayed Until '10

Jamaica-U.S. "Sprint Showdown Series" Delayed Because Of Scheduling Conflicts

A proposed "sprint showdown series" between the U.S. and Jamaica "has been delayed until 2010 because of scheduling conflicts," according to U.S. and Jamaican track and field officials cited by Gene Cherry of REUTERS. USATF CEO Doug Logan: "We feel the stars will be aligned, literally and figuratively, next May and June for this series to really take off." Logan last month proposed that the two countries, "who boast the top sprinters in the world," including Jamaica Gold Medal-winning sprinter Usain Bolt, "meet in a pair of sprint-dominated, scored competitions, with one in each country, this spring." But Cherry noted an "already full athletics calendar prompted the countries to postpone the launch" until '10. The series as proposed "would feature men's and women's competitions in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, 100 hurdles (women), 110 hurdles (men), 400 hurdles, long jump and 4x100, 4x400 and sprint medley relays" (REUTERS, 3/31). The AP noted the series is a "bid to boost track and field's profile in non-Olympic years." The series will be comprised of  "one meet in the United States -- probably on the East Coast -- and one in Jamaica, sometime in May or June, before the European track season begins" (AP, 3/31).