Athletes leave this week

THE country's local track and field athletes for the XV1 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico will leave the island in two batches this week with the first set, which includes eight athletes and one official scheduled to depart tomorrow evening at 6:30.

The group will leave the Norman Manley International Airport for Panama before moving on to Guadalajara.

Those leaving the island tomorrow are Olivia McKoy (javelin), Rushell Clayton (400hurdles/ 4x400m), Kimberly Williamson (high jump), Ornella Livingstone (4x100m), Omar Johnson (4x400m), Jermaine Hamilton (4x100m), Jason Livermore (4x100m), Lansford Spence (200m/4x400m) and Nathaniel Davis (masseur).

The bulk of the local contingent which includes eight athletes and seven officials will leave Thursday morning at 6:30.

That batch will fly to Miami then on to Fort Worth, Dallas before departing for Guadalajara.

The athletes in that second group are Anastasia Leroy (200m/4x100m/4x400m), Yanique Ellington (4x100m), Yanique Levy (long jump), Odayne Richards (shot put), Michael Mason (400m/4x400m), Hannukah Wallace (200m/4x100m), Answert Whyte (4x400m) and Oshane Bailey (100m/4x100m).

The officials expected to be leaving are: George Peryer (manager); Heleena South, Dave Clarke (assistant managers); Raymond Graham (head coach); Michael Russell, Eldemire Smith and Milton Brown (coaches).

The overseas-based athletes will join the team in Mexico between tomorrow and Thursday. They are: Simone Facey (200m/4x100m), Sheryl Morgan (400m hurdles/4x400m), Patricia Hall (400m/4x400m), Nickeava Wilson (long jump), Natalie Grant (hammer), Zara Northover (shot put), Allison Randall (hammer), Allison Randall (shot put), Ketema Rietti (discus), Lerone Clarke (100m/4x100m), Claston Bernard (decathlon), Maurice Smith (decathlon), Isa Phillips (400m hurdles), Herbert McGregor (long jump), Jason Morgan (discus), Eric Keddo (110m hurdles).

Track and field competition at the Pan American Games will start next Monday, November 24.