Western Relays moving east

The Milo Western Relays, which has over the years attracted many of the island's top athletes, including the world's two fastest men, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, will be held at GC Foster College in Angels, St Catherine this year.

The 31st staging of the meet, according to the organisers, is scheduled for February 14.

The usual venue for the relays, the Catherine Hall complex in Montego Bay, is unavailable for the mid-February meet.

The organisers of the relays, in a release, said the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), owners of the Catherine Hall complex in Montego Bay, have denied the organisers permission to use the facility this year.

When contacted, UDC's Corporate Relations Manager, Lorna Clarke, said the decision was regrettable.

critical stage

"We are confirming that the UDC is regrettably, unable to accommodate the staging of the Milo Western Relays at the Montego Bay Sports Complex this year, as we are at a critical stage in the construction of the project," Clarke said.

"The UDC is working towards the completion and delivery of this joint project of the governments of Jamaica and Venezuela, to western Jamaica," added Clarke.

The release added: "The organisers felt the meet has risen to such prominence and importance, it was not practical to stage it on a grass track".

Meet Director, Ray Harvey, expressed his regret at the move, noting in the release: "We are deeply saddened that some track and field athletes and supporters in western Jamaica may be deprived of being involved in what has been Montego Bay's flagship track and field event for over three decades."

It will be the first time that the relays which have been held every year for the past 30 years in Montego Bay, will be held outside the western city.

Though this relocation poses serious challenges, the organisers are confident that the meet will continue to maintain its high standards.