The Jamaica Masters Athletics Association's 15-member contingent will be hoping to show they are fit enough, can go the distance, and hopefully strike gold at the World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships in Lyon, France, from August 4-16.

That team includes Atlanta Olympics long jump silver medallist James Beckford in the 100m and long jump 40 age group, Winston Chambers, 400m hurdler in the age 50 category; Samuel Brevett in the 100m; and Gavin Shand who are strong medal contenders to medal.

"I will do my best to bring home medals for Jamaica," said 200m and 400m medal hopeful, Shand.

Shand, 36, was a schoolmate of Asafa Powell and said his career was cut short by injury, but is looking to make a name now in the masters category.

"Based upon training and what I am putting out it's possible. My season best is 50.0 and my personal best is 49.0, based on my times at trials and the wind I think I can do 48.0," he added.

The team is asking the public's assistance with funding.

"We are not asking for much ... there wasn't enough funds in the account, the embassy says we need a sponsor so we can get the visa," said team member Clifton Thomas.

Thomas ran for Holy Trinity's 4x100m team which won gold at the 1989 Penn Relays.

Team Jamaica consists of members aged 36 to 56. The contingent of four females and 11 men will participate in 100m to 5,000m races, shot put and long jump.

Team captain Brevett, seasoned distance runner Oral Anderson of The Gleaner Company, and teammates Larkland King and Robert Grant are locked in intense mental and physical training ahead of that trip.