The annual Track Town Classic held at Foote Field at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, could this year provide exciting previews of what is to be expected at the 2016 Olympic Games.
The Caribbean is well represented in the women’s 200m event seeing the likes of Shaunae Miller (BAH), Tynia Gaither (BAH) and Semoy Hackett (TTO) competing against an otherwise American dominated field.
In the men’s equivalent, Michael Mathieu (BAH) is the sole representative of the region. He will face a strong field against the likes of Canadian Superstar, Andre De Grasse and American, Wallace Spearmon.
The Caribbean women will also be on the medal hunt in the shorter sprint, where the Jamaicans, Kerron Stewart and Remona Burchell, will be joined by Semoy Hackett of Trinidad & Tobago. Hackett goes into the race as the third fastest person behind Morlake Akinosaum and Lekeisha Lawson both of the USA.
In the men’s 100m, Michael Frater (JAM) will face regional rivals Ramon Gittens (BAH) and Kemar Hyman (CAY). This should be a very competitive race base on the seeded times going into the event.
Andrew Riley (JAM) is expected to make the medal podium in the men’s 100mH, with a strong contender also in Shane Brathwaite of Barbados. They will have to hold off the American pair of Aleec Harris and Ryan Fontenot to get into the first two medal slots.
In the men’s 400m, Lalonde Gordon (TTO) is expected to put on quite a show as the fastest man going into the field. Joining him, are silver medallist at the Jamaica trials, Fitzroy Dunkley and Alonzo Russell (BAH).
World Championships 4x400m gold medallist, Novlene Williams-Mills (JAM) will line up in the women’s 400m after missing an individual spot on the Jamaican team to Rio. She will line up with Patricia Hall (JAM), Francena McCorory (USA) and Courtney Okolo (USA).
The Americans are expected to dominate the 400m Hurdles as recently crowned US Champion in the women’s 400m Hurdles, Dalilah Muhammad, will find herself being pushed in the event this weekend by Jamaican Champion, Ristananna Tracey and silver medalist Leah Nugent (JAM).
Muhammad is expected to take the gold medal in the event, being the only woman in the field that has run under 53 seconds so far this year.
Another American, Johnny Dutch, is expected to come out on top in the men’s event which will also feature Jamaican, Roxroy Cato, who goes in with the third fastest time.
Other Caribbean athletes down to participate in the meet on July 15 are:
Trevor Barry (BAH) in the men’s high jump and Lavonne Idlette (DOM) in the women’s 100m Hurdles.
The Edmonton Track Town Classic is the premier one day invitational track meet in Canada.
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Great article…well written and very informative