'TC' backs young brigade - Jamaica team leader expects rookies to do well at World Champs

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

MOSCOW, Russia:

Sixteen members of Jamaica's team to the IAAF World Championships in Athletics here will be making their first appearance at a senior global championships.

Despite their relative inexperience, Team Leader Trevor 'TC' Campbell is expecting a good show.

Campbell, who competed at the 1972 Olympics as a member of Jamaica's 4x400m relay team, also noted that the management team has been doing its best to keep the athletes relaxed ahead of competition.

"Yes, we do have a lot of first timers but they seem to be quite relaxed and comfortable. They are good, so it doesn't take much to move from one stage to the next when you are at this level. And so the expectations are high. I know they will do well, but we are not pressuring anyone," Campbell told The Gleaner from the team's base at the Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel and Business Centre. "It's a young team, but they are very talented."

He added: "From a management perspective, we are just trying to show them some confidence and let them know that we are here for them and that they have the ability to go out there and do well for themselves and their country.

"We try not to pressure them in any way. We don't want to put them in the limelight, we want to ease them into it and I think the coaching staff has done well in that regard," said Campbell.

National champions Javere Bell (400m), Danielle Williams (100m hurdles), O'Dayne Richards (shot put), Natoya Goule (800m), and Francine Simpson (long jump) will all compete at this level for the first time, as well as the fastest Jamaican and fourth-fastest woman in the 400m this year, Stephenie McPherson, along with schoolboy quarter-miler Javon Francis.

Moving smoothly

Meanwhile, Campbell noted that things have been moving smoothly so far, noting also that there have been no reported injuries and that all the athletes have been interacting well as they get ready for the August 10-18 championships.

"So far, so good; most of us have settled in already," Campbell said. "The vibe has been good. Apart from a few hiccups here and there, everyone has been gelling very well and getting along very well.

"The training facilities have been great and the support staff has been cooperative and has provided everything that we have asked of them, we really can't complain," said Campbell.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association named a 45-member team to represent the country at the championships, with 400m athlete Ahkeem Gauntlett withdrawing a few days ago.