Anthony Foster, Gleaner Writer

Bailey ... left for the IAAF World Championships, yesterday. - File

Aleen Bailey, a surprise inclusion in Jamaica's squad for the 11th IAAF World Championships is aiming at a top-eight finish in the 200 metres in Osaka.

Bailey who failed to make the 100m final and finished fourth in the 200m (22.88 season best) at the National Championships, won a relay gold at the recent Pan American Games in Brazil.

"My aim is to make the final," said Bailey, who along with Olympic Games 400m hurdles silver medallist, Danny McFarlane, Allodin Fothergill, Anastasia Le-Roy, Leford Green and Kaliese Spencer left the island, yesterday.

She ran the third leg on Jamaica's victorious sprint relay team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and admitted this season has been a disappointing one, but believes she will get stronger in the coming weeks.

Jamaica's chances good

Bailey, who recently completed her first degree, also spoke about Jamaica's chances at the Championships, which start on August 25.

"We have the same chances as everybody else. Everybody is running well ... when it comes down to it (the championships), Jamaica always deliver, so we are definitely looking good," she said.

World Junior 400m hurdles champion, Kaliese Spencer, along with 4x400m runners, Allodin Fothergill, Leford Green and Anastasia Le-Roy are making their first trips to the World Champion-ships, and they are excited.

"I would really love to get a gold medal, because I went to the World Junior Championships and Pan American Games and did not get one, so I am really looking forward to this one," Fothergill said.

While stating that she was "very excited", Le-Roy is "looking forward to a good experience, so I can make it to the next level".

Green said, "My aim is just to go out there and do my best, get a medal at the highest level."

Concern over readiness

Spencer, who has not run since trials, said, "I just want to go there and do my best, get a PR (personal record)."

She, however, has some concern over her readiness, but said, "Physically, I am okay, but I am not race fit, so I am not sure exactly to expect, but I will be going out there to do my best."

She said she was waiting to work up a storm at the nine-day training camp, during which time she will work with coach, Stephen Francis.

Also leaving yesterday were Dr. Glenton Smith; assistant manager, Grace Jackson; coaches, Michael Clarke, Maurice Wilson, Bert Cameron, Fitz Coleman and Raymond Graham; and physiotherapist, Maureen Spence-Campbell.