Olympic Champion Shelly- Ann Fraser-Pryce broke the Jamica national record to win the women’s 100m final at the JAAA/SVL Jamaica Senior National in June.
Photo Credit:
Olympic Champion Shelly- Ann Fraser-Pryce broke the Jamica national record to win the women’s 100m final at the JAAA/SVL Jamaica Senior National in June.
Photo Credit:
This is the final publication of a two-part series that examines the prospects of athletes from the Central American and Caribbean(CAC) region as they prepare to compete at track and field events at the 2012 Olympics.
The first publication focused on men and this second version takes a look at the women and their prospects.
Women´s 100m
Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the defending champion and is as likely as any to win in London as well.
On current form Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago must be considered as the C.A.C. athlete most likely to join her on the podium.
This is not to disrespect the veteran Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown, possibly the greatest female sprinter ever produced in the region, who obviously would not care to finish the final empty-handed.
Kerron Stewart of Jamaica has not shown the spark in 2012 that won her a silver medal in 2008, but certainly could get to the final eight.
Women´s 200m
Fraser-Pryce defeated Campbell-Brown at the Jamaica trials and both would be considered dark horses in a race featuring American Allyson Felix.
Campbell-Brown has been there, done that and is likely to make a better showing in London than she did at the Jamaica trials where she lost not only to Fraser-Pryce, but also to Sherone Simpson.
Simpson, the Bahamian World Junior champion Anthonique Strachan and Semoy Hackett of Trinidad and Tobago have all shown good form this season and stand good chances of reaching the final.
From the smaller islands, Tameka Williams of St.Kitts and Nevis along with U.S.Virgin Islanders La Verne Jones-Ferrette and Allison Peter are all capable of making an impression.
Women´s 400m
Jamaica´s Novlene Williams-Mills has been among the world´s best for several years and has won medals at the highest level, inflicting the only 2012 defeat suffered by Sanya-Richards-Ross.
She should be in the thick of the medal hunt in London. So too could her countrywoman, Posemary Whye, a noted big-meet performer.
Women´s 800m
Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica seems to be experiencing her first down year after several successful ones and would not be expected to reach the final in London barring the unexpected.
Other C.A.C. two-lappers entered include Rosibel Garcia of Colombia, Grenada´s Neisha Bernard-Thomas and Cuban Rosemary Almanza.
All are forces at the regional level, but none has yet run faster than 1:59 and would likely have the semi-finals as their ceilings in London.
Women´s 100m Hurdles
Brigitte Foster-Hylton has won medals of all hues at every level except the Olympic Games. She had a very impressive start to her 2012 season, but may find the depth of the field in London a problem in having to go through tough rounds.
However, that has never stopped her before and she may prove that age is no barrier to success. Two Colombians, Brigith Merlano and Lina Florez, made the semis in Daegu, but they and the two "new" Jamaicans, LaToya Greaves and Shermaine Williams would have done well to reach that far this year.
Women´s 400m Hurdles
Defending champion, Melaine Walker of Jamaica has had mixed fortunes this year and does not enter as a favourite to defend her crown.
However, she is as determined a competitor as there is and few would bet against her standing on some step on the podium. Her compatriots Kalies Spencer and Nickiesha Wilson are also possible finalists with Spencer having distinct medal possibilities.
Women´s High Jump
In an event that seems to have hit a wall at senior level in the region, Levern Spencer of St.Lucia has the best C.V. but, although she has won at the regional level, her heights have not been impressive in the last few years.
Women´s Pole Vault
Cuba´s Yarisley Silva, fifth at Daegu and Pan American Games champion seems poised for a move into the event´s elite. Her teammate Dailys Caballero, has yet to produce the goods in any major international event.
Women´s Long Jump
The C.A.C.´s best long jumper, Anguillan Shara Proctor now represents Great Britain. The next best, Colombian Caterine Ibarguen, is a triple jump standout who long jumps only occasionally.
The cupboard may not be quite bare in this event, but is nearly so.
Women´ Triple Jump
On current form, Caterine Ibarguen must be considered one of the favourites for the gold medal in London. Jamaican Kumberly Williams has been in impressive form in Europe and could be a factor.
Cuba´s Yargeris Savigne, a two-time World Champion, seems to be dealing with fitness issues and her teammates Dalenis Alcantara and Yonelvis Rivalta have yet to reproduce their early-season form.
Women´s Shot Put
Cleopatera Borel of Trinidad and Tobago and Misleidys Gonzalez have made it to several global finals and could do so again, but their best marks are well short of the event´ leaders.
Women´s Discus Throw
Yarelis Barrios of Cuba has been the event´s most consistent practitioner over that last four years and if healthy, could mount the victory stand once again. Whether a gold medal is possible is left to be seen.
Women´s Hammer Throw
Yipsi Moreno may not be quite the force she once was but with a 2012 best of over 75 metres, could finish in the top three if others falter as she is unlikely to beat herself.
The Venezuelan Rosa Rodriguez has shown great improvement this year, but is probably not ready yet to take that final step upward.
Women´s Javelin Throw
The Cubans Yanet Cruz and YanelisRibeaux have potential, but are far from ready to replace former record holder Osleidys Menendez or Sonia Bisset.
Women´s 4x 100m
Jamaica and the U.S.A. should battle for gold at the Games. Trinidad and Tobago has four solid sprinters and could claim bronze. The other qualifiers, the Bahamas and Colombia, may struggle to make the final.
Women´s 4x 400m
The Jamaicans, silver medalists in Daegu, have the talent to do at least as well again. The Cuban quartet boasts few familiar names, but could squeeze into the final, although their recent record for moving a baton is not good.
Women´s 20 Km Walk
Guatemala has replaced Mexico as the region´s leader in the women´s walks and has two solid competitors in Jamy Franco and Mayra Herrera.
Reynold O'Neal is a former President of the BVI Athletics Association and founding member of the BVI Amateur Athletics Association, now named the BVI Athletics Association.
