Bajan athletes relaxed and ready

LONDON – The hours are ticking down to the first round of the men’s 110 metres hurdles which will get underway at 5:10 tomorrow morning. The start lists have been released, and the last three Barbadians competing here at the London 2012 Olympic Games will be in the latter three of six heats. The first three in each heat, as well as the next six on time will advance to the semis. Up first will be Greggmar Swift, drawn in lane one of the third heat. Former world champion Ryan Brathwaite is in lane three of the fifth heat, while Shane Brathwaite will run out of lane two in the sixth and final heat. Ryan Brathwaite didn’t have much to say yesterday, only that he was feeling good and would be focussing on running each round at this time. Those sentiments were echoed by Shane Brathwaite. “I’m feeling good, just trying to stay relaxed and focus on my race. Training been going really well and I am ready.” Swift, who had some problems earlier in training, said that had been turned around and he was feeling as fit as when he ran the wind-aided 13.49 seconds earlier this season. “As the days approach, the nights are getting short and I’m getting nervous but that is expected,” Swift said. “I already know what I have to do.” His coach John McNichols from Indiana State University is in London and Swift is buoyed by his presence. He did the last few training sessions with McNichols who told him this is what he had been training for all season. Coach Alwyn Babb said: “They are aware of where they are with respect to the season’s best coming, but know that they have to run a clean, technical race to advance. They are taking nothing for granted since the hurdles can get up and bite.” Several other athletes form the Caribbean will be in the sprint hurdles. Jamaicans Andrew Riley (the American collegiate champion), Hansle Parchment and Richard Phillips are down to compete. Trinidad and Tobago will be represented by Wayne Davis and Mikel Thomas and Shamar Sands will be flying the flag for The Bahamas. World champion Jason Richardson of the United States is in heat one. Cubans Orlando Ortega and world record holder Dayron Robles are in heats three and four, respectively. World leader Aries Merritt of the United States, who has run 12.93 is in heat five with Brathwaite, while Olympic record holder Liu Xiang of China is in the final heat. Meanwhile, Usain Bolt will also begin the defence of his 200 metres title in the first round of the heats at 6:50 a.m. There are seven heats, featuring several regional athletes.