Michael Sloley/Freelance Photographer
Members of the Kenyan team on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. In back row from left, Alex Kipcherchin, Vivian Chenigot, Samson Kiplangat, Busienei Janeth and team manager Ibrahim Hussein. Front from left Hilary Chenonge and Cosmas Rono.Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
JLDIKO DORNBACH, head of delegation for the Hungary team which arrived in the Island yesterday ahead of Tuesday's IAAF/Coca-Cola World Junior Athletics Championships at the National Stadium, said her team had suffered a major setback by losing its only medal hopes.
"Our hammer thrower, Jozsef Horvath, who won gold at the World Youth Championships last year had an accident in May and was unable to make the trip," Dornbach said at Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.
"We awaited him to win a medal for us, so with his injury I am afraid we have no chance of winning a medal. However, I think we have about five or six athletes on our team that can reach the final of their events," she said.
"I think our throwers and long-distance runners can achieve good results and maybe the sprinters. I expect to see at least two of our sprinters in the finals, although I think they will be far from the medals," she said.
The Head of Delegation added that although they can not win a medal every one who comes to the World Junior Championships will always want to do their best.
Dornbach, despite not knowing too much, believes Jamaica will do very well as the host country.
"I know that Jamaica always have very good athletes, very good sprinters and jumpers, so with that I think they can win some medals. The host counties are always successful," she said.
Meanwhile, one third (eight) of the Kenya team arrived in the island yesterday with another two groups to come in today and tomorrow. However, the coach said he would not say anything until the rest of the squad arrived.
Other teams that arrived in the island yesterday included Sudan, Romania, Japan and Canada.
A record 173 teams, three more than the previous best attendance of 170 when the championships were held in Annecy, France in 1998, are expected here for the event. Two hundred and ten countries make up the IAAF. More than 1,232 athletes and 600 officials are expected to participate at the six-day meet.
Jamaica's team, which dominated the Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships last weekend in Bridgetown, Bahamas is in camp at G.C. Foster College.
