Kingston (Jamaica), March 11 (IANS): World and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt will headline the inaugural Racers Grand Prix, scheduled for June 11 at the National Stadium here.
The meet, organised by the Racers Track Club, is also expected to feature the likes of world 400 metre champion, Wayde van Niekirk of South Africa, former World and Olympic champion, American LaShawn Merritt, and 100m bronze medallist, Tori Bowie, of the United States, reports CMC.
Jamaican stars, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir, are also expected to participate in the event, along with Trinidadian sprint queen, Kelly-Ann Baptiste.
Overall, 112 athletes are expected to compete across 15 disciplines comprising both track and field events.
“The Racers Grand Prix brings together more than 100 of the world’s best athletes from more than 10 countries and will feature the best sprinters in the world but will also feature field events,” said Glenn Mills, president of Racers Track Club and chairman of the organising committee of the event on Thursday.
Bolt, who was present at the announcement, promised to be in prime form, especially with the Rio Olympics set for August.
“The fact that I’ll be competing this year, it’s a motivation to work even harder to make sure when I compete here, I will be in top form, to run fast times, to show the country that I’m ready to go to Rio and do great things,” the 29-year-old said.
Mills, Bolt’s long-time coach, said, he was pleased with the sprinter’s pre-season preparation and that he would launch his season in May.
Bolt is expected to run a few races before participating at the Racers Grand Prix.