Simpson, Weir, Carter, Baptiste among new athletes set for adidas Grand Prix

NEW YORK CITY —Almost three dozen Caribbean athletes, led by three-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica, are set to compete in the adidas Grand Prix in NYC on May 25.

One of the top track-and-field events in the world, the event at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island will feature dozens of international superstars, including 2012 Olympic gold medalists David Rudisha, Jenn Suhr, Aries Merritt, and Brittney Reese. Tickets are available at www.adidasgrandprix.com or by calling 1-877-849-8722.

Campbell-Brown, who will run her specialty, the 200 meters, will be joined by fellow Jamaican individual medalists Warren Weir, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist at 200 meters; Sherone Simpson, 2008 Olympic silver medalist at 100 meters; Shericka Williams, 2008 Olympic and 2009 World Championships silver medalist at 400 meters; Novlene Williams-Mills, 2007 IAAF World Championships bronze medalist, 400 meters; and Kenia Sinclair, 2006 Commonwealth Games and World Indoor silver medalist at 800 meters.

Relay medalists include Nesta Carter, 2-time Olympic gold medalist and 2011 World Championships gold medalist; Aleen Bailey, 2004 Olympic gold medalist and 2009 World Champion, 4×100-meter relay; Kemar Bailey Cole, 2012 Olympic 4×100-meter relay gold medalist; Rosemarie Whyte, 2-time World Championships silver medalist and 2-time Olympic bronze medalist, 4x400m; and Allodin Fothergill, Leford Green, and Riker Hylton, 2011 4x400m World Championships bronze medalists.

Also among the Jamaican headliners will be Nickel Ashmeade, the 2012 200-meter Diamond Race winner.

Javier Culson of Puerto Rico, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the 400-meter hurdles who was ranked #1 in the world as well as winning the Diamond Race, leads the contingent from elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Other highlighted athletes include Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados, the 2009 IAAF World Champion in the 110-meter hurdles; Richard Thompson of Trinidad & Tobago, 2008 Olympic silver medalist at 100 meters; and Renny Quow (TRI), the 2009 IAAF World Championships bronze medalist at 400 meters. Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie of the Bahamas, who has won 13 international medals in her long career; Keston Bledman (TRI), two-time Olympic relay medalist; and Kelly-Ann Baptiste (TRI), the 2011 IAAF World Championships bronze medalist at 100 meters, also star in the field of Caribbean athletes.

Rounding out the Caribbean lineup

MEN
Rondell Bartholomew (GRN), 6th, 2011 IAAF World Championships, 400m
Mario Forsythe (JAM), 2011 World Championships semi-finalist, 200m
Jehue Gordon (TRI), 6th, 2012 Olympics, 400m hurdles; 2010 World Junior Champion
Jacques Harvey (JAM), 2011 World University Games Champion, 100m
Ramone McKenzie (JAM), 2007 World Youth Champion, 200m
Kevin Thompson (JAM), 100m, Central Park Track Club

WOMEN
Schillonie Calvert (JAM), 2-time World Junior and Youth 4x100m bronze medalist
Mardrea Hyman (JAM), 4-time World Championships team member
Anneisha McLaughlin (JAM), 5th, 2009 World Championships, 200m
Stephanie McPherson (JAM), #3 time in the world this year, 400m
Allison Randall (JAM), 2012 Olympian and National Record-holder, discus
Kateema Riettie (JAM), 2-time NCAA Div. II Champion, javelin; 2010 CACAC Champion

The third stop on the international IAAF Diamond League circuit, the adidas Grand Prix is in its ninth year at Icahn Stadium, in conjunction with the Randall’s Island Sports Alliance. The latest news, photos and information on the event can be found atwww.adidasgrandprix.com; on Facebook; on Twitter.