Olympic bronze medalist joining all-star meet

(CNS): Another Jamaican Olympic running star will be joining an array of athletic talent in Cayman next month officials have revealed. Hansle Parchment will return to the Cayman Islands for the second annual Cayman Invitational track and field meet, set for 8 May at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. One of the largest track and field meets of its kind in the Caribbean, Cayman Invitational has already attracted some oftoday’s top names in athletics, including the world’s fastest man, six times Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and Olympic gold medallist Carmelita ‘The Jet’ Jeter.

Just 23, Parchment won a gold medal at the 2011 Summer Universiade, held in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, running a personal best of 13.24s to win the 110m hurdles title for Jamaica.

While In June 2012 Parchment won the Jamaica Olympic trials in a new personal best of 13.18s to qualify for the Jamaican team for the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London and went on to win the bronze medal in the final of the 110m hurdles, achieving anew Jamaican record of 13.12s. Parchment said he was delighted to be joining such well known athletes in the upcoming meet.

“I enjoyed my first visit to the Cayman Islands last year. The people were warm and friendly which made the experience even better. I’m definitely looking forward to visiting again to have a good time, as well as to perform to my best for the people,” he said.
Aside from training for the Cayman Invitational, Parchment said he is determined to get on the Jamaican team for the IAAF World Championships to be held in Moscow in August of this year, focusing on specific aspects of his training.

“I believe I need to work on the first half of my race, that’s a very important for next season,” he confirmed.

Cayman’s own Commonwealth Games gold medal-winner Cydonie Mothersill-Stephens of KyStar Athletics is the organiser behind Cayman Invitational and has put together an exciting track and field meet that will host ten track and two field events and will feature over eighty professional track athletes.

Mothersill-Stephens said she is excited by the calibre of athletes the meet has been able to attract.

“Hansle Parchment will no doubt be a huge draw for young aspiring athletes, having showcased his incredible skills at the London Olympics. He is a wonderful role model for young people from the Caribbean because he has succeeded in getting to the top of his game beating considerable competition from the world over,” said Mothersill-Stephens. “We are really pleased to host Hansle again at this year’s Cayman Invitational and very much look forward to seeing him perform.”

Mothersill said the event will achieve International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) – the governing body for professional track events – recognition as a World Challenger meeting, which means the event will be included on the official IAAF calendar.

While there are still opportunities for sponsorship of this exciting event, the following organisations have already pledged their support:  CI Government – Office of the Premier (Platinum Sponsor); Cayman Airways, Dart, VTB (all Gold Sponsors); LIME, PUMA, Tower (all Silver Sponsors) and dms, National Building Society, Water Authority, Western Union and Casa Luna (all Bronze Sponsors).

For more information visit:  http://caymaninvitational.com/ or please contact: info@caymaninvitational.com