VCB	Asafa Powell

A different type of buzz will take over New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday, January 28, when the renowned indoor sports center will host the inaugural edition of the U.S. Open, a track & field event that is set to bring together perhaps the best and deepest fields the Garden has seen in years.

 

Some mighty names in the sport have been announced to compete, and this event will begin their six-month journey to London in earnest. Jamaica’s former world record holder, Asafa Powell, for example, known for his brilliant start, will grace this storied venue. After shunning the indoor circuit for eight long years, the powerful sprinter, who has never won Olympic or World Championship gold, will be returning indoors to run the 50m as he begins his preamble to fine-tuning his technique for the March 2012 World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, and the July-August Olympics in London, which he says could be his last. “[So] I’m going all out for this one,” Powell noted recently.

 

Carter

Bailey

The 29-year-old held the title of world’s fastest human for three years, when he owned the 100m record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds respectively, until his countryman Usain Bolt broke it with 9.72 in New York. Powell was a member of the Jamaican 4x100m relay team that broke the world record at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before his teammates broke it without him in 2011 at the Daegu World Championships. In addition, he has run the 100m under 10secs more than anyone in history—some 80 times in total.

 

Other top male stars among the New York lineup include Powell’s training partner and a member of Jamaica’s sprint relay world record teams Nesta Carter, and Justin Gatlin of the US.

Powell’s countrywoman Veronica Campbell-Brown (VCB), a more familiar face at the Garden, will also be there. Up to press time, the World and Olympic gold medalist had not decided whether she will defend her World Indoor title. But that is understandable; the ferocious lioness on the track, who does not always have a brilliant start in the shorter sprint, is taking no chances and will be using the Garden to help sharpen her stealth for London against Bianca Knight of the US and Tehesia Harrigan of the British Virgin Islands.

 

VCB will be attempting to win a third Olympic 200m gold in London and will be looking to avenge her 2011 World Championships 100m defeat to American Carmelita Jeter, a formidable opponent, who will also be gunning for double gold in London. Fans will not see Jeter at the Garden this time.

 

In the men’s 600 yards, Trinidad and Tobago’s 2009 World 400m bronze medalist Renny Quow will renew Garden rivalry with 2005 World Outdoor 400m hurdles gold medalist Bershawn Jackson, who won the 600 yards at the 2007 and 2010 Millrose Games at the Garden. Quow was the champion in 2009 and 2011.

 

The New York U.S. Open is the first event of USA Track and Field’s Visa Championships Series and the first major professional meet in the United States to jump start the 2012 Olympic year.

 

Power-packed Roster  

 

The following is a look at the starting list for the big event; it is subject to change:
Men’s Events
50 meters: Trell Kimmons (USA), Kimmari Roach (JAM), Asafa Powell (JAM), Justin Gatlin (USA), Daniel Bailey (ANT), Nesta Carter (JAM)
600 yards: Bershawn Jackson (USA), Renny Quow (TRI), Greg Nixon (USA), Tabarie Henry (UVI)
Mile: Bernard Lagat (USA), Silas Kiplagat (KEN), Henok Legesse (ETH), Daniel Komen Kipchirchir (KEN), Anthony Famiglietti (USA), Matt Elliott (USA)
50-meter hurdles: Aries Merritt (USA), David Oliver (USA), Terrence Trammell (USA), Jeff Porter (USA), Dwight Thomas (USA), Omo Osaghae (USA)
Shot Put: Christian Cantwell (USA), Adam Nelson (USA), Ryan Whiting (USA), Cory Martin (USA)
High Jump: Jesse Williams (USA), Dusty Jonas (USA), Jamie Nieto (USA), Jim Dilling (USA)
Women’s Events
50 meters: Bianca Knight (USA), Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM), Alexandria Anderson (USA), Tehesia Harrigan (IVB), Jessica Young (USA), Gloria Asumnu (NGR)
500 yards: Monica Hargrove (USA), Jasmine Chaney (USA), Keshia Baker (USA), Davita Prendergast (JAM)
800 meters: Ajee Wilson (USA), Fantu Magiso (ETH), Jessica Smith (CAN)
Mile: Anna Pierce (USA), Stephanie Garcia (USA), Lauren Hagans (USA), Brenda Martinez (USA)
50-meter hurdles: Kellie Wells (USA), Lolo Jones (USA), Dawn Harper (USA), Tiffany Porter (GBR), Nia Ali (USA), Ginnie Crawford (USA)
Pole Vault: Jenn Suhr (USA), Becky Holliday (USA), Jillian Schwartz (ISR), Lacy Jansen (USA), Mary Saxer (USA), Janice Keppler (USA) .

 

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