Organisers target weekend All Comers action

After nearly four months without competition, the country's athletes could return to the track this Saturday at Jamaica College for the staging of the first All Comers meet of the season, which is set to start at 2 p.m.

This is dependent on whether or not organisers receive the green light from the Ministry of Sport, which is in consultation with the Ministry of Health.

The last meet staged on local soil took place before the coronavirus pandemic halted the sporting world, was held on March 14 at the UWI/Usain Bolt Track.

Meet organisers Bruce James and Paul Francis are optimistic that approval will be granted and have proactively moved ahead with planning for Saturday's potential meet after receiving the blessing from the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

"Sporting events all over the world have begun to open up with no spectators, and we are extremely happy that we are able to organise a meet for our athletes, as this is their job. This will be a zero-spectator event. Only athletes and officials (team and meet) will be allowed access to the track. They will all be subject to temperature checks, wearing masks and having their hands sanitised upon entry to Jamaica College," said Francis.

Dr Warren Blake, President of JAAA, explained that his administration had no issues giving their blessings to the event, and underlined that all necessary precautions will be taken.

"With the economy being opened up, this made it easier for my association to give the green light for the running of the meet. We have to be mindful that this is a risk, but all protocols will be in place. The athletes have been starving for some form of competition, as this is their job, and we are hoping that all goes well," Blake stated.

Male and female athletes will compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m hurdles and 400m events. There will also be competition in the 110m hurdles and 100m hurdles for females. In the field, there will be long and triple jump action for females and long jump for males.