Despite the absence of the iconic Usain Bolt from the track, conceptualiser and president of Racers Track Club Glen Mills is of the belief that the Racers Grand Prix is here for the long haul.

“I would never undersell the importance that Bolt played in getting it off the ground. His presence, one as great as he is, has provided the catalyst for our launch and for that we are grateful and consider ourselves fortunate to have the greatest athlete of all time compete at the meet in our inaugural staging,” Mills told the Jamaica Observer.

“Although his charm, charisma and performances will be missed, we have to continue the legacy as a great tribute to him if this meet grows to a colossal level and contributes to the continued development of track and field in the country,” he added.

“The meet was never about Bolt. The purpose of the meet is to provide competition for our young professional athletes, that second-tier athlete who is not able to command a Diamond League lane or a lane overseas,” Mills further explained.

The third staging of the Racers Grand Prix set for Saturday, June 9 inside the National Stadium is dubbed “Stars: the Next Generation”.

This year’s renewal will feature six international events for men and seven for women, along with four Olympic Development races in a three-hour package, slated to start at 6:00 pm.

“So meets like these in the region are very important. It was also a developmental programme and provided some sort of earning with their training expenses. You get a little prize money because it is very expensive to develop a young professional. If you don’t have a big contract it’s a struggle. We pay prize money from 1 to 8 in every event,” Mills noted.

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