Kingston (Jamaica), Aug 17 (IANS/CMC): World sprint champion Usain Bolt leads an array of stars in a Jamaica 50-member contingent for the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, later this month.
Bolt, who turns 25 Sunday, will defend his titles in both the 100 and 200 metres during the August 27-September 4 showpiece at the Daegu Stadium. He will be accompanied by Asafa Powell and the impressive Yohan Blake who has twice gone below 10 seconds this year.
Steve Mullings, third fastest in the world this year with a clocking of 9.80 seconds in Oregon back in June, has been left out following news last week he had failed a drugs test.
The Jamaica Observer has reported that Mullings was expected to have a 'B' sample tested in Montreal, Tuesday.
In the absence of Bolt, Mullings won the 200 metres at the recent national trials and finished third in the 100 metres.
Meanwhile, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will lead the women's squad as she defends her 100 metres World title she won in Berlin two years ago.
As expected, Veronica Campbell-Brown who collected 200m silver in Berlin, makes the trip along with defending 100m hurdles champion Brigitte Foster Hylton and 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker.
Squad:
Men: Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Nesta Carter, Marvin Anderson, Lansford Spence, Nickel Ashmeade, Mario Forsythe, Dwight Thomas, Richard Phillips, Isa Phillips, Jermaine Gonzales, Josef Robertson, Andrew Riley, Allodin Fothergill, Maurice Smith, Dorian Scott, Damar Forbes, Wilbert Walker, Jason Morgan, Leford Green, Dexter Lee, Dewayne Barrett, and Riker Hylton
Women:Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Kerron Stewart, Jura Levy, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson, Davita Prendergast, Novlene Williams-Mills, Shericka Williams, Patricia Hall, Kenia Sinclair, Shereefa Lloyd, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Schillonie Calvert, Melaine Walker, Kaliese Spencer, Nickiesha Wilson, Korene Hinds, Kimberly Williams, Rosemarie Whyte, Ristananna Tracey, Aleen Bailey, Mardrea Hyman, Vonette Dixon, Indira Spence and Jovanee Jarrett.