Distin to make history in Eugene, says Track and Field News

Lamara Distin will make high jump history at the World Athletics Championships, which begins in the United States city of Eugene today. That’s the conclusion drawn from the top 10 predictions by respected American athletics publication Track and Field News, which has placed Distin on the podium. If that prediction holds true, she will be the first Jamaican to win a medal in the high jump at an outdoor Worlds or the Olympics.

The third-place prediction appeared earlier this week as part of a Jamaica 12-medal haul expected by Track and Field News.

The predictions specify a 100 metres sweep for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson Herah and Shericka Jackson; a 200 metres gold and bronze by Jackson and Thompson Herah; gold for Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m; silver in the 4x400m, behind the United States; and third for NCAA indoor and outdoor champion Distin, with Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Eleanor Patterson of Australia taking gold and silver, respectively.

Distin has brought Jamaica’s national record up to 1.97 metres this year.

World Indoor 60 metres champion Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland is picked to be closest to Fraser-Pryce, Thompson Herah and Jackson in the 100m. American Abby Steiner, who has clocked 21.80 and 21.77 seconds, respectively, in her last two races, is the selected sweep breaker in the 200m, with Fraser-Pryce listed as fifth.

Olympic 110 metres hurdles winner Hansle Parchment is to be found in third spot in the Track and Field News prediction, behind the American pair of reigning champion Grant Holloway and Devon Allen, world leader at 12.84 seconds. In addition, Jamaica is picked as the runner-up in both the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m, with the United States on top in both events.

TOP-EIGHT POSITIONS

Track and Field News believes a great many Jamaicans will force their way into finals. Top-eight positions are predicted for Candice McLeod and Stephenie-Ann McPherson in the women’s 400m, Natoya Goule in the 800m, Britany Anderson and Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper in the 100m hurdles, Janieve Russell and Shiann Salmon in the 400m hurdles, 2019 runner-up Shanieka Ricketts in the triple jump, Danniel Thomas-Dodd in the shot put, Yohan Blake and Oblique Seville in the men’s 100m, and sprint hurdler Rasheed Broadbell.

In this group, Ricketts appears closest to the medal places in fourth, with fifth place predicted for Fraser-Pryce in the 200m, for McLeod in the 400m, for Anderson in the 100m hurdles, and Russell in the 400m hurdles. Jaheel Hyde is listed in 10th in the men’s 400m hurdles, with reigning long jump champion Tajay Gayle and 2019 women’s shot put silver medal winner Danniel Thomas-Dodd listed at 10th as well in their respective events.

Track and Field News foresees success for Olympic champions Shaunae Miller-Uibo of The Bahamas and Jasmin Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico in the 400m and the 100m hurdles, respectively. Grenadian Anderson Peters is tipped to defend his men’s javelin.