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Penn Relays Report - 2004 (Part A)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)
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Jamaica vs. USA |
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City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ... Home of the Penn Relays Carnival.(enlarge) |
Approaching the Franklin Field Stadium from Spruce St. ... Site of the Penn Relays.(enlarge) |
Overlooking the warmup area for the athletes ... just outside the stadium.(enlarge) |
The "Reggae Boyz" (in gold) get ready for the 4x200m relay. (enlarge) |
The second and anchor leg pair go to their position - 4x200m relay. (enlarge) |
The second leg runner measuring his steps - 4x200m relay.(enlarge) |
The second and anchor leg runners measuring their steps - 4x200m relay.(enlarge) |
The anchor leg runner still measuring his steps as the second leg runner walks away - 4x200m relay. (enlarge) |
Now they both look down the lane.(enlarge) |
The anchor leg runner walks over in my direction.(enlarge) |
He smiled and posed for me with a "thumbs up" signal - good to go.(enlarge) |
The first baton exchange.(enlarge) |
The anchor leg runner get ready for the next and final baton exchange.(enlarge) |
Anchor leg baton exchange in progress (enlarge) |
Off he goes.(enlarge) |
Now the "Reggae Girlz" get ready. (enlarge) |
Measuring her steps.(enlarge) |
Marking her spot.(enlarge) |
Checking out her lane.(enlarge) |
Waiting her turn, while World Champion Marion Jones (USA, in blue shoes) looks on.(enlarge) |
Here come the batons. Marion Jones way out front for the USA anchor leg. (enlarge) |
Around the bend they go.(enlarge) |
The crowd looks on.(enlarge) |
A look around the track - home stretch (south looking north).(enlarge) |
A look around the track - final turn (south), high jump area to the right.(enlarge) |
A look around the track - home stretch, steeple chase water jump in foreground.(enlarge) |
A look around the track - home stretch (north looking south).(enlarge) |
A look around the track - northwest corner, 100m start.(enlarge) |
A look around the track - 100m lanes (north to south).(enlarge) |
Actor/Comedian Bill Cosby makes presentation to this year's honorees. He might be the one in the red jacket.(enlarge) |
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Just a glimpse for those who were not able to attend this year, especially for those back in Jamaica who have
heard about the Penn Relays, but have never been able to attend.
Record Attendance:
Ticket Costs:
Ticket cost was US$18.00 for general attendance and about $28.00 for reserved seating. This means that Jamaicans accounted for approximately US$(2.3-2.6) million in just ticket sales alone. Parking, food, and street side vending could easily be estimated to cost at least as much as ticket sales if not more. So, we are talking about being in the neighborhood of US$(4.5-5.2) million that was spent by Jamaicans over the weekend in Philadelphia. Make no mistake about it, we (Jamaica) make the Penn Relays what it is today. Now it is virtually an annual Jamaica vs USA Track meet, attracting the best athletes in the world and the best that the USA has to offer.
Immigration: I'm sure that the Patrons, Sponsors, Advertizers, and the City of Philadelphia recognize this fact, and I'm hoping that in the future they will use their political influence (Governor, Mayor, Senators, and Congresspersons) to ensure that the Jamaican athletes do not go through any "hassle" and "distress" with the US Immigration authorities like what some of them encountered this year when applying for visas to participate in the Penn Relays. We spend far too much money supporting the Penn Relays not to have our best representation on the field. Your's truly,
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