Donald Quarrie, athletes' liaison for the Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet, hinted yesterday that a cadre of star-studded top local and international athletes could burn up the track at the 2009 renewal on May 2 at the National Stadium.

The sixth staging of the meet will provide an opportunity for the athletes to showcase their talents before competing at the 12th International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Athletics, from August 15-23, in Berlin.

The event will be the first national track and field meet of the season. Quarrie is looking forward to a successful meet because of expected international participation. World Sprint Double Champion Tyson Gay, who normally opens his track and field season in Jamaica, is expected to be among the big names.

"We have been compiling a list and we continue to receive requests from managers asking for their athletes to participate. The 100m already has seen quite a number of athletes expressing an interest," he said at the launch held yesterday at the Hilton Kingston hotel.

Apart from Gay, Quarrie said several top athletes, including Olympic champions, have expressed an interest, but said it was premature to divulge such information.

Bridge the gap

Questioned as to whether or not MVP athletes, who opted not to compete at last year's meet, would be among these high-profile names, Quarrie used the presence of Olympic 100-metre champion Shelly Ann Fraser to indicate that there might be representation from the MVP Track Club.

Howard Aris, chairman of the organising committee and president of the Jamaica Athletic Association, stated that the committee is attempting to change the direction and bridge the gap between Jamaica and the region.

"We at the organising committee have been trying to find ways and means to reposition this meet and this year, we believe, gives us the opportunity to keep the momentum going," he said.

"We are trying to make links and connections with meets in Europe and the United Kingdom to see how we can be a part of their calendar," Aris said.

Strong representation

David Mais, chairman of the Sports Development Foundation, one of the major sponsors, said it cost US$330,000 to stage the event last year. He mentioned that the athletes' management and agents will make strong representation for increases in appearance fees and, as such, different components will be added to make the meet more lucrative.

Mais stated: "In order to increase the revenue of the event, we will have to look overseas for the sponsors and also a deal for a television package. We will also have to include an entertainment and cultural package to attract more spectators to the event."

It was revealed that tickets will go on sale on April 29, and will be priced reasonably to help boost spectator support.

Bleachers tickets will start at $400, while Grandstand tickets will go for $1,000, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500. Tickets will be available at the Hilton hotel, the National Stadium ticket office, the SDF and outlets to be confirmed in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.