Aleen Bailey (right) with the members of the team which won gold in the 4x100 metres at the Berlin World Championships in 2009. The other members of the quartet (from left) are Kerron Stewart, Simone Facey and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. - file

Veteran Jamaican female sprinter, Aleen Bailey, is aiming to book a place in Jamaica's team to her third consecutive Olympic Games next month.

Bailey, 31, turned back the clock at last week's Penn Relays in Philadelphia then declared herself ready to challenge for a place on Jamaica's sprint squad to London.

Jamaica had to play second fiddle to the United States in the USA versus the World relay series. Bailey competed twice, running the second 200 metres in the sprint medley and minutes later, the third leg on the 4x100 metres relay. The oldest member of the Jamaica team on both relays, Bailey turned back the years with two brilliant performances.

A number of fans hailed her impressive showing and Bailey, who has attended four World Championships and two Olympic Games, was quick to give credit to her new coach, Davoan Spence.

"The difference is my new coach, Davoan Spence as he knows what he is doing and thank God I have him because he motivates me a lot and he knows what he is doing," said Bailey.

Spence is a former St. Jago High sprinter, who was coached by Bertland Cameron. He represented Jamaica at the junior level before continuing his studies at the University of Washington.

Bailey, a member of the successful 2004 Olympic Games 4x100 metres relay team and who ran in the preliminary round of the same event four years later in Beijing, is very pleased with her progress so far and is very confident she will be on the plane to London 2012.

"I am very pleased with my season so far as I opened up with 11.32 seconds and 23.11 in the 100 and 200 metres, respectively, which has been my best start in eight years," Bailey said.

A real 'vibes' person Bailey has been seen as a key member of Jamaica's sprint relay teams for many years.

She dismissed all thought of quitting anytime soon.

"If you are a true track and field fan you will know that many great female sprinters reach their best after age 30," she said.

Bailey knows that the June 28-July 1 Jamaica National Championships, which will decide Jamaica's track and field team for the 2012 Olympics, will be hot but she has no fear.

"I am expecting a lot of fireworks at the Trials but I am confident because my new coach has given me renewed hope and I will not let him down," said Bailey who stated that she will be concentrating on the 200 metres, for now.

"I am presently concentrating on the 200 metres but near to the Trials my coach and I will decide if I will double," said Bailey, who expects to run close to 22.3 seconds in the half-lap event at the Trials.