Sprinting slide?

Between 2008 and 2014, Jamaica dominated the annual top 10 world rankings for the men's 100 metres issued by the respected US publication TRACK AND FIELD NEWS.

That changed in 2015. Instead of the usual presence of four of five Jamaicans in the top 10, only Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell appeared in the listing contained in the publication's February issue.

Top local coaches Stephen Francis, Maurice Wilson and Fitz Coleman believe a transition in Jamaica's male sprinting is afoot. MVP Track and Field Club boss Francis noted that Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nesta Carter, who were ranked at third and fourth in 2014, were injured in 2015.

"Nesta and Bailey-Cole are the other two people who are usually in the top 10," he said.

Carter's 2015 absence ended a five-year run in the 100m rankings. Bailey-Cole appeared there in both 2013 and 2014.

"Of course, Yohan Blake appears not yet to have fully recovered," said Francis at last Saturday's Jamalco Development Meet in Clarendon.

NEW TALENT

"Until there are some new people on the horizon, then you're going to see ... a paucity of men at the top level."

Wilson, a lecturer at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, and coach of the Sprint Tech Club, doesn't believe a slowdown is imminent.

"But in everything you have transition," he added.

Coleman, who coaches hurdler supreme Hansle Parchment, agreed: "I think we are that stage where the transition is taking place, but it's a process. It's a slow one, and being an Olympic year, people will not want to rush."

The veteran coach pinpointed Bailey-Cole, Carter and Olympic 200 metre bronze medal winner Warren Weir as speedsters he has his eye on and of the 2011 World 100 champion, he was "hoping and praying Blake will be fit and healthy."

Blake returned last year from two seasons ruined by injury, but wasn't at top form.

Meanwhile, Francis believes that "the vast majority" of high-school coaches prepare their student-athletes "as if they were adults".

From his viewpoint, that makes Champs a poor guide to their future performances.

"In a lot of cases, it indicates they are already at the end of their potential," he said.

Wilson thinks Jamaica will see the emergence of younger sprinters in the next year or so. He is optimistic about the prospects for former Calabar ace Michael O'Hara, the 2013 World Youth 200m champion.

"I think that the coach he is with now, (Glen) Mills, always wants to think about the 100m first. I think he (O'Hara) is one of those athletes that we should see emerging," he said.