5 Things We learnt from USA, Canada and Jamaica Trials

1. 3-way showdown between the big guns will not materialize

Tyson Gay's hip injury has unfortunately put him out of commission as he will n ot contest the 100m or 200m at the world championships in Daegu. However fans shouldn't be too disappointed, there are enough speedsters in action to keep the event highly entertaining. Walter Dix leads the charge for the US team and Jamaica's Asafa Powell who prevailed over a deep field in Kingston poses a strong enough challenge for defending champion Usain Bolt.

2. Drug ban doesn't mean the end of one's career
Former Olympic Champion Justin Gatlin returned from a four year ban in athletic wilderness to make the US team posting 9.99 seconds in Eugene. That effort not only silenced the critics but was good enough to book his spot on the US team. Gatlin who won the Olympic gold in 2004 has long maintained his innocence and is keen to return to sprint glory. He could prove a threat to Bolt and his long time nemesis Asafa Powell.



3. Level Playing Field in Women's Sprints



The US has caught up to the Jamaicans. Carmelita Jeter continues to reign supreme with Marshevet Hooker-Myers not far behind. Their times of 10.74 and 10.83, though wind-aided, send a strong message that nothing is guaranteed come world championships. Jamaica's Campbell- Brown's 10.84 is commendable but with less than a stellar season opener by defending champion shellyann Fraser Pryce and Kerron Stewart only now rounding into form, this event is wide open. In the 200m the world leading 22.15 posted by American Shalonda Solomon should not be taken lightly, the same goes for Jeter's spritely 22.23. Compared to the Jamaican times of of 22.44 from Campbell-Brown and 22.63 from Stewart, it's fair to say the US has the edge going into Daegu.

4. False Start rule rather risky
Several athletes are still very uncomfortable with the IAAF’s (one strike and you’re out) rule. Jamaica’s Mellisa Wallace became the early victim after she was disqualified in the now infamous women’s 100m semi-final. Less than five minutes later the country’s sprint darling Campbell Brown also false started leaving meet officials in a quandary. In the end the starter made the controversial decision to give Campbell-Brown a second chance. Meanwhile in Canada, despite being initially charged with a false start Nikita Holder ran the women’s 100m race under protest and placed third. Holder’s disqualification was later overturned.
All this begs the question “What will happen if key stars like Usain Bolt, David Oliver, Allyson Felix or Asafa Powell were to false start in Daegu?”I won't even attempt to answer that one.

5. Fireworks in store for Men's Shot put

Over the past few weeks Canada and the US appear to be trading world best throws back and forth. Canada's Dylan Armstrong unleashed a massive heave of 22.21 metres to capture the national title for sixth time, besting the previous high throw of 21.87 by American Reese Hoffa. At the US trials Hoffa could only manage 21.86 for third. First place went to 35 year old veteran Adam Nelson with a throw of 22.09 while defending world champion Christian Cantwell's 21.87 was good enough for second.