By Linda Robertson, McClatchy Newspapers –
KINGSTON, Jamaica — With the London Olympics 82 days from commencing, a glittering cast of medal contenders converged at the Jamaica International Invitational on Saturday to test their progress while Jamaica’s avid track and field fans came to see their sprinters compete on home ground.
The undisputed star of the meet — and unofficial host for his country — was Usain Bolt, who cruised to victory in 9.82 seconds in his first open 100-meter race of the season. Bolt managed a promising time despite enduring two false starts.
After the race, he took off his electric green spikes and jogged past the bleachers, slapping palms with delirious fans inside the packed and deafening National Stadium.
Bolt, who won three gold medals and set three world records at the 2008 Olympics and holds the world record of 9.58 seconds, ran a 9.76 here before the Beijing Olympics.
“I think I could have done better, but the false starts didn’t help my focus,” he said. “It’s a good start for my first run. It’s a great feeling to run in Jamaica.”
Bolt’s main challenger for another Olympic sweep is training partner and countryman Yohan Blake, who has come on strong after a drug suspension three years ago. Blake, who ran a world-leading 9.90 in the 100 last month, elected not to race against Bolt and ran the 200 meters instead.
On a humid night, storm clouds hung over the mountains behind the stadium. Jamaica’s athletes felt right at home in the steamy conditions. Spectators waved the yellow, green and black flag of the island nation, which is celebrating its 50th year of independence. The meet enhanced the U.S. vs. Jamaica rivalry. Jamaica’s sprinters have overtaken the Americans in recent years, and they dominated the glamour speed events at the Beijing Games. Both the Jamaican and U.S. track and field teams will be based in Birmingham, England, for their pre-Olympic training camps.
Two athletes with South Florida ties gauged their readiness to win more Olympic medals. For Sanya Richards-Ross, the meet was like a homecoming. She spent her childhood in Jamaica before moving to Pembroke Pines and graduating from Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas High. Richards-Ross, who lives in Austin, Texas, was accompanied here by her parents and husband Aaron Ross, a New York Giant who earned a Super Bowl ring three months ago.
“It’s always wonderful to come back and see family and friends,” she said. “I feel very comfortable here.”
Richards-Ross, consistently ranked No. 1 in the 400 meters, was overtaken in the last 50 meters by Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills. Williams-Mills ran an impressive 49.99 seconds, and Richards-Ross was right behind her in 50.11. England’s Christine Ohuruogu, who upset her for gold in the Beijing Games, finished third.
Miami’s Bershawn “Batman” Jackson won the 400-meter hurdles in 48.73 despite nicking the seventh, eighth and ninth hurdles with his trail leg.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt at this stage of the season,” he said. “To make a mistake and run that well — I’ll take it.”
Jackson and the rest of the Americans are preparing for the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore., June 23-July 1, where they must finish in the top three to make the team going to London for the July 27-Aug. 12 Summer Games. Jamaica’s trials are June 28-July 1. Performance comparisons are inevitable and should add to anticipation of the Olympics, where USA Track and Field has a stated goal of winning 30 medals.
The women’s 100 offered a possible Olympic preview. World champ Carmelita Jeter, who is enjoying a career renaissance as the top U.S. hope, ran a solid race to win in 10.81 seconds, finishing well ahead of Olympic silver medalists Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, two of Jamaica’s heroines on the powerhouse team. Jeter owns the meet record of 10.86, set last year, and her personal best of 10.64 in 2009 was the top time in 21 years.
“A couple technical errors — I don’t think my coach will be too happy,” Jeter said. “I have to stay healthy, humble and focused.”
Two-time Olympic 200 gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown, known as VCB, did not enter and former 100-meter world record holder Asafa Powell withdrew from the men’s 200 because of a groin injury.
The meet, managed by former Jamaican star Donald Quarrie, drew a sellout crowd of 4,700. Organizers hope the annual event will be upgraded to Diamond League status on the IAAF schedule. One of their arguments is that Jamaica, mad for athletics, rich in tradition, deserves a spot on the lucrative circuit.
Among others competing Saturday were American sprinter Darvis Patton, Olympic silver medalist Richard Thompson, world bronze medalist Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago, world indoor silver medalist Nesta Carter of Jamaica and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of the Bahamas.
Bolt had a late start to his season and prior to Saturday had only run the anchor leg of a 400 relay in an April 14 Kingston meet. He said he’s healthy, on schedule and working on his start, which gave him problems last year.
The charismatic Bolt is a national celebrity. He grew up in the countryside, in Trelawny, intending to become a cricket player. But track coaches encouraged him to take advantage of his long stride. Even at 6-5 he has remarkable turnover and quickness out of the blocks.
Bolt could train anywhere, but chose to stay home, with his coach, Glen Mills, and among Jamaicans, who adore him. His face is everywhere around the capital on advertisements for the products he endorses.
Blake’s popularity has grown since he won the world 100 title in Daegu, South Korea, last year after Bolt was disqualified for a false start. He and Bolt run for the local Racers Track Club. Powell and Fraser-Pryce run for the MVP club.
Bolt had contemplated adding the 400 to his repertoire, but not this year. He and plenty of others, including London Games organizer Sebastian Coe, believe he can lower his 100 record into the 9.4 range. His 200 record of 19.19 could also fall, and Jamaica’s record in the 400-meter relay is ripe for reduction, but Mills said that somewhat chilly conditions in London would not be conducive to super-fast times.
