Juniors fly out today

The island's top junior athletes will fly out today for the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, July 10-15.

Forty-one athletes will make the trip. De'Jour Russell of Calabar High who was named in the squad has since withdrawn.

The team will be hoping to better the performance of two years ago in Bydgoscyz, Poland where they captured eight medals - two gold, three silver and three bronze.

Star-studded

Several of the athletes, especially among the males are ranked on top of the IAAF world list in their respective events. Calabar High's Christopher Taylor, with his 20.35 seconds, is number one in his selected event, the 200m. He could also play significant roles in both the 4x100m and 4x400m.

Dashawn Morris of Kingston College who has the second fastest time of 45.09 seconds and overseas-based, Chantz Sawyers who is ranked at number six with 45.40 are both expected to do well.

Damion Thomas and Orlando Bennett are expected to shine in the men's 110m hurdles where they are ranked one and two respectively in the event. Thomas who is based overseas won the event at the National Junior Championships in a world junior record equalling time 12.99. Bennett of Calabar, with 13.00, also went under the National Junior record of 13.05.

Overseas-based Briana Williams will be the best ranked female going into the championships. With a season's and personal best of 11.13 seconds for 100m, her time is fifth overall but she will be the third ranked going into the championships. The American pair of Twashana Terry (10.99) and Tamara Clarke (11.02) are ahead of her. Terry also has the third and fourth fastest times in the event this year.