Jamaica vs USA showdown

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania:

A relay showdown featuring Jamaica and the United States (US) is expected to pull a record crowd to the stadium at the University of Pennsylvania, Franklin Field, on today's final day of competition at the 116th staging of the Penn Relays.

The most popular athlete in track and field, Usain Bolt, who has generated great interest among the fans at the meet, will feature in one of Jamaica's teams - the men's 4x100 metres relay - in the USA vs the World relay clashes.

There will be six events, the 4x100 and 4x400 for men and women, along with the men's distance and women's sprint medley relays.

Undoubtedly, it is the two sprint relays which will attract most attention with the world's fastest man, Bolt, expected to get a rousing welcome when he graces the track.

Both Jamaica and the US will have two teams in the men's event.

Bolt will anchor one team, which includes his Racers Track Club teammates Mario Forsythe, Marvin Anderson and Yohan Blake.

Strong teams

The other Jamaican team will comprise Michael Frater, Nesta Carter, Dwight Thomas and Xavier Brown.

The US will also field two strong teams with 2010 World 100- metre leader, Ivory Williams, expected to lead one team. The likes of Shawn Crawford,Travis Padgett, Darvis Patton and Leroy Dixon are expected to make up one of the US teams.

Trinidad and Tobago and Great Britain will also be featured in the men's sprint relay, which is set to get under way at 1:50 p.m.

Prior to the men's clash, an epic battle is expected in the women's 4x100 metres relay as both Jamaica and the United States will field two powerful teams.

The race, which is set to start at 1:30 p.m., will see Olympic and World 100-metre champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Kerron Stewart, Simone Facey and Sherone Simpson lining up for Jamaica. The US will be represented by Carmelita Jeter, Allyson Felix, MeLisa Barber and Andrea Anderson.

- Raymond Graham