McDonald, Forte pull out of Rabat

NATIONAL 400-METRE record holder, and a man who has started this season impressively in Julian Forte, are both out of today’s Diamond League in Rabat, Morocco.

The withdrawals still leave nine Jamaicans among those down to compete with the anticipation high for Shericka Jackson’s opening 200 metres.

Jackson, the Diamond League champion over 200 metres, won in Rabat a year ago in 21.98 seconds, is notably starting her campaign very late this season, with her first run just two weeks ago at an All Comers meet in Kingston in the 100 metres. Jackson won in 11.03 seconds.

She will take to the track at 2:10 p.m. Jamaica time and will run out of Lane Three. Ida Karstoft of Denmark, who has a best of 22.60, along with Maboundou Kone of Côte d’Ivoire with a best of 22.53, and Mujinga Kumbundji of Switzerland with a best of 22.87, could push the Jamaican.

After a second-place finish last year, behind the United States’ Shamier Little, Rushell Clayton, the world leader in the women’s 400-metre hurdles following her fantastic 53.72-second clocking a week ago at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston, could be the favourite.

Shiann Salmon, who was third last year, and Janieve Russell, who was fourth, are the other Jamaicans down to compete in the event, which gets under way at 1:48 p.m.

Following his sixth-place finish a year ago, Yohan Blake will be one of two Jamaicans who will line up in the men’s 100 metres at 2:22 p.m. He will be joined by Rohan Watson.

Andre Degrasse of Canada and the United States’ Brandon Hicklin, who has a season best of 9.94 seconds, are also down to compete.

Danniel Thomas-Dodd will be the first Jamaican in action today in the shot put at 12:26 p.m.

Traves Smikle and Fredrick Dacres are down to contest the discus at 1:41 p.m.