USATF Announces launch of USA vs. Jamaica Challenge Series in 2010
March 31, 2009 by Jay Hicks
Press Release courtesy of USA Track & Field.
INDIANAPOLIS - The USA vs. Jamaica Challenge Series, pitting the two countries’ sprinters, hurdlers and long jumpers against each other in team-based, scored competition, will debut in 2010, USA Track & Field and the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association announced on Tuesday.
The meets would feature male and female athletes in the 100, 200 and 400 meters; 100/110m hurdles and 400m hurdles; long jump; and the 4×100, 4×400 and sprint medley relays.
USATF CEO Doug Logan first proposed the Challenge Series in early March. With the 2009 calendar already full with IAAF, World Championship and regional competitions, the two federations targeted 2010 as the ideal time to launch the highly anticipated Challenge Series.
“We feel the stars will be aligned, literally and figuratively, next May and June for this series to really take off,” Logan said. “We will be working with the Jamaican federation, our athletes and other stakeholders over the next 12-plus months to put together a top-tier event.”
“We look forward to taking on our American friends in head-to-head competition in 2010,” said JAAA President Howard Aris. “We are confident that this kind of team competition, featuring the most exciting events in athletics, will prove captivating to fans around the world.”
The USA-Jamaica rivalry in sprinting events was on full display at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where collectively, USA and Jamaica won 11 of 12 medals in the 100 and 200; 16 of 18 in the 100 through 400; and five of six medals in the 400m hurdles.
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