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August 9, 2013
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No relay rigmarole - Jamaica head coach expects smooth selection process for team races
Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter


Clarke

MOSCOW, Russia:

Michael Clarke, head coach of Jamaica's team at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, is not expecting any issues where the selections for the relay teams is concerned and noted that the management team has yet to decide on the third men's 400m starter.

Youngsters Javere Bell and Javon Francis will definitely face the starter when the 400m heats run off at 11:05 a.m., on Sunday, but there is a delay regarding the decision of who will join the pair in the event.

With a top-three finish being the first qualifying marker, Akheem Gauntlett, who has since withdrawn from the team, finished third at the National Championships in 45.48, with Omar Johnson, 45.50, Edino Steele, 45.53 and Rusheen McDonald, 45.55, following them to the line.

However, only McDonald has since met the A qualifying standard for the event, recording a 45.28 seconds mark on July 16, leaving the technical team with a decision to make.

They can decide to run all three A qualifiers or opt for the top two A qualifiers and a B qualifier.

However, Clarke, who was not prepared to go into details, explained that the decision has been delayed because of a technicality, which is presently being examined by technical leader Maurice Wilson.

Clarke also stated that he is not expecting any issues with the selection of the men's 4x100m relay, after questions about the make-up of the team.

100m qualifiers Usain Bolt, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Nickel Ashmeade and Nesta Carter selected themselves to the pool, with Jason Livermore and Oshane Bailey also added to the squad by the selection committee. Teams can, however, add up to two athletes, who compete in individual events and 200m specialist Warren Weir has been seen participating in relay drills, raising questions about the make up of the team.

"We have a relay pool of seven persons and the coaches will meet to decide, which four run the heats and then from the heats we decide and based on the performances of those persons who are running individual events, we decide who should run the final, so there isn't any real decision yet as to who will run what positions as yet," Clarke said.

"It will not be an issue, it ought not to," Clarke added

Jamaica are the defending champions in the event after recording a World Championships record and then world record 37.04 in Daegu, South Korea two years ago. The country also won at the previous championships in Berlin, Germany in 2009.

IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 TIMETABLE

Day 1 - Saturday, August 10

JA TIMESEXEVENTROUND
12:30 AMWDiscus ThrowQualification Group A
12:35 AMM100 MetresDecathlon
1:10 AMM100 MetresPreliminary Round
1:15 AMMPole VaultQualification
1:35 AMMLong JumpDecathlon
1:45 AMW100 MetresPreliminary Round
1:55 AMWDiscus ThrowQualification Group B
2:20 AMM800 MetresHeats
3:20 AMMShot PutDecathlon
5:00 AMWMarathonFinal
6:30 AMMHigh JumpDecathlon
8:05 AMMHammer ThrowQualification Group A
8:10 AMW3000 Metres SteeplechaseHeats
9:05 AMW400 MetresHeats
9:35 AMMHammer ThrowQualification Group B
9:55 AMM10,000 MetresFinal
10:20 AMWLong JumpQualification
10:40 AMM400 MetresDecathlon
11:15 AMM100 MetresHeats

Usain Bolt

Day 2 - Sunday, August 11

JA TIME

SEXEVENTROUND

12:05 AM

M110 Metres HurdlesDecathlon
12:40 AMM110 Metres HurdlesHeats
1:00 AMMDiscus ThrowDecathlon Group A
1:30 AMW1500 MetresHeats
1:45 AM W Shot Put Qualification
2:05 AM M400 MetresHeats
2:20 AMM Discus Throw Decathlon Group B
2:55 AM W 100 MetresHeats
4:05 AM M Pole VaultDecathlon
8:00 AMM20 Kilometres Race WalkFinal
8:15 AM MJavelin ThrowDecathlon Group A
9:30 AMMJavelin ThrowDecathlon Group B
10:00 AM WLong JumpFinal
10:05 AM M 100 MetresSemi-Final
10:10 AM WPole Vault Qualification
10:35 AMM 800 Metres Semi-Final
11:05 AMW 400 Metres Semi-Final
11:15 AM WDiscus Throw Final
11:35 AMM1500 Metres Decathlon
12:05 PMW 10,000 MetresFinal
12:50 PMM 100 Metres Final
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