Olympic champ Gatlin, Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery for Hamptons

OLYMPIC champion Amer-ican Justin Gatlin is among a large high-profile international contingent invited for the 2005 Hampton International Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, May 7 and 8. Games organiser Rawle Raphael announced this as he pondered on his options to cover an additional $1million to put on an exciting meet.  He said that among many other top international athletes who have received invitations for the games are sprint queen Marion Jones and her fianc? Tim Montgomery.

Raphael  said attempts are also being made to secure the services of Kittitian Kim Collins who will partner our top locals such as Darrel Brown and others who will be participating at the 2005 CARIFTA Games in sister-isle Tobago at the weekend. Raphael made it clear that such athletes will bring out the supporters at the games- but he first noted that his association must come up with the cash if they are to secure the services of these athletes. He noted futher that government is expected to bear the cost of the use of the facility and will also be providing all the trophies and medals. He was however saddened by the lack of financial support by corporate Trinidad and Tobago — these companies are disregarding the 100 percent tax-break from government for sponsorship of sport and culture.

He made it clear the games will go on with or without the needed cash — but he gave the assurance that fans are almost guaranteed to see a top class games with such high-profile athletes. He said one thousand athletes from all the clubs in Trinidad and Tobago have registered for the competition - but these will first be required to qualify during  two days of contest at the Stadium on April 9 and 10. He added that registration for the local athletes was closed a week ago but regional athletes will have to meet an April 15 deadline. Raphael said further that his association has also been receiving enquiries from many international countries to participate at the games. One of them he said is a team from the United States.