Misha-Gaye DaCosta - file photos

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Jamaica's athletes will start their search for glory when the 5th IAAF World Youth Championships opens in Ostrava, Czech Republic tomorrow.

First up on the track will be the 100m for girls, but all eyes will be on Herbert Morrison's Dexter Lee who is expected to be hot.

Lee, who ran 10.33 for his win at June's National Championships, has a very good chance for a medal.

Nickel Ashmeade of St. Jago High, who clocked 10.39, also at the Jamaican Championships, should do fairly well, but both will have to keep eyes on Americans Rynell Parson (10.23) and Jeremy Rankin (10.32).

The girls' bid for medals has been weakened by the absence of the country's highest world rankers, Danielle Jeffrey out of Immaculate High, and Kedesha Simpson of Glenmuir. Both are injured.

St. Thomas Technical's Carrie Russell, who won bronze at last year's World Junior Champion-ships, is also missing.

Jura Levy of Vere Technical and Gayon Evans of Edwin Allen will carry the fight for Jamaica. Levy has a best of 11.64 and Evans, 11.65.

Afternoon session

In the afternoon session, World Junior Championships relay bronze medallist Latoya McDermott with a 2007 best of 53.48 and Misha-Gaye DaCosta with a personal best 1.80m will start their challenges for medals in the 400m and high jump respectively.

In the boys' 400m, Kingston College's Rolando Berch, 47.67, will have it tough but should advance to the next round.Berch's schoolmate, Donohue Williams, will struggle in the 800m. A season best 1:54.03 may not be good enough. Kenya's Geoffrey Kibet has already run 1:47.1.

Too few entrants in the 110m hurdles will see Morant Bay's Hansie Parchment go straight to the semis with a 14.05 2007 best mark.

The semi-final round of the 100m for both genders is on later in the afternoon.