Thompson in TT team for Penn Relays

Thompson who set a new national 100 metres record of 9.85 seconds at the National Track and Field Championship at the Hasely Crawford Stadium last year, has been joined by Rondel Sorrillo, Keston Bledman, Marc Burns and Emmanual Callender.

They are among three relay teams that will represent TT at the relays, joining the women’s 4x100 team and the 4x400 metres relay team.

National Association of Athletic Administration public relations officer Trevor James yesterday described the Penn Relays as the start of the country’s Olympic campaign.

The TT 4x100 relay men will have a point to prove since a blunder with the baton at the World Track and Field Championship in Daegu, South Korea, last year prevented them gaining a medal.

However, the TT men will have a tough challenge if they are to medal this weekend with Jamaica, USA, Bahamas and Canada competing.

They will begin their campaign for top honours at 12:55 pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the TT women 4x100 team will be without sprint queen Kelly Ann Baptiste on Saturday at 1:15 pm. .

She has been replaced by Aleesha Barber. Ohers in the team are Michelle Lee Ahye, Rayare Thomas, Kai Selvon and Semoy Hackett.

The TT 4x400 metre relay team will feature two newcomers in Machel Cedenio and Jereem Richards and include Lalonde Gordon, Jarrin Solomon and Stann Waithe. The teams leaves tomorrow at 2:40 pm.