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 The full team will not be named until the Aug. 10 deadline but
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who scorched home in 10.79 seconds in the
100 meters, will lead the women's unit even though no decision has
been made about defending her 200m crown.
"That's not a decision that has been finalized," Fraser-Pryce, who
only weeks ago complained of a hamstring niggle, told Reuters. "If
(coach) says 'Shelly-Ann you're doing the 200m,' then I'm doing it.
If he doesn't, then I’m not."
Fraser-Pryce, who has wild card entries to both events as defending
champion, will be joined by Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson
and newcomer Natasha Morrison in the 100m.
Jamaica has had a stranglehold on the men's and women's 100m at the
last three world championship but that could be under threat with
six-times Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, who skipped the trials,
yet to round into top form.
However, former world record holder Asafa Powell, who has twice run
9.84 seconds this year, most recently on Friday to the win his sixth
Jamaican title, will join Bolt, Commonwealth Games Champion Kemar
Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade.
"Well I’m definitely not going to China to lose, So I would
definitely consider myself the favorite," said Powell, a two-time
world bronze medalist.
The former world record holder has never won individual gold at the
worlds or Olympics, even when he was considered a pre-race favorite
in the past.
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Powell is optimistic that Bolt will return to form.
"He (Usain Bolt) has a way to go and I think he can come back for
the world championship," Powell said, adding that he's no longer
worried about the make-up of Jamaica's sprint unit.
"I feeling very happy that they (Ashmeade and Bailey-Cole) came out
and ran sub-10 seconds this weekend, so it shows we are still in
with a chance."
Jamaica will also be banking on newcomers Omar McLeod who logged a
world-leading 12.97 in the 110m hurdles, rising star Elaine
Thompson, who won the 200m, and Moscow half lap silver medalist
Warren Weir to do well in Beijing.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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