Coleman takes charge of Indoor team
VETERAN COACH Fitz Coleman has replaced Maurice Wilson as technical director of Jamaica’s team to the IAAF World Indoor Championships, which will be held i n Birmingham, England from March 1 to 4.
Dr Warren Blake, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) told The Gleaner that Wilson withdrew from the team because of personal reasons.
“He explained to us that he has other commitments because he has two things happening at the same time and so he decided not to go,” said Blake.
“Mr Coleman will be filling in the role as our technical director for our team to the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England,” he added.
Coleman is the coach of 2012 Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment. He was also a member of Jamaica’s coaching staff to last year’s World Championships in London as well and has served on several other senior international assignments over the years.
Coleman is also the coach of the University of the West Indies’ track and field team.
TEAM REDUCED TO 27
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s original 30member team has been further reduced to 27, following the withdrawal of US collegiate sprint hurdlers Rushell Burton and Jeanine Williams.
This came on t he heels of t he announcement last Friday that defending 60m hurdles champion Omar McLeod had withdrawn from the team.
The 25-year-old McLeod, who is the reigning Olympic and World 110m hurdles champion, was one of three medals winners at the 2016 World Indoors, which was held in the United States. The other medal winners were Asafa Powell and Elaine Thompson.
The JAAA boss said that the withdrawals of the three athletes will certainly affect the country’s medal tally but he is confident that they will do well.
“It will definitely affect us but I am hoping that the remaining (athletes) will step up to the plate and perform,” said Blake.
“Omar McLeod would have always been a favourite in the men’s sprint hurdles and without him, we might not do as well as we would like,” he said.
“But, I think the team will do well because the last time around we only got three medals and so we should do much better this time around,”
Blake said.