VCB, Asafa to highlight indoor get together in New York

VCB, Asafa to highlight indoor get together in New York

Former world record possessor and sprint legend, Asafa Powell, will make his New York indoor track first look at the 2012 US Open Track and Field meet on January 28 at Madison Square Garden, USA Track and Field proclaim yesterday.

Returning to the site of her 2011 NYC indoor victory, World and Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown will join her Jamaican countryman in the short sprints, while two of the most popular Garden high-school track events - the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) boys' 4x800m and girls' 4x400m relays - also will be contested.

"No US city is more international than New York," USATF Interim CEO Mike McNees said. "Having Veronica and Asafa at the Garden will help focus the international significance of the Olympic year, with the US Open as the first round of the 2012 USA-Jamaica competition."

The kick-off event of USATF's Visa Championship Series, the US Open will be the first track meet to be held in the newly renovate Garden, and will be the first major professional meet in the United States as the 2012 Olympic year get under way.

As the man who has run more sub-10-second 100m dashes than anyone in history, Powell's look will mark his first NYC exterior since he ran at the 2009 Reebok Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium, and his first time competing indoors since 2004.

The 29-year-old Jamaican held the title of world’s fastest human for three years, when he own the 100m world record of 9.77 seconds from 2005, until Usain Bolt broke it in New York in 2008.

VCB returns

Among the most consistent and decorated short sprinters of her age group, Campbell-Brown's recommence is the stuff legends are made of; two-time defensive Olympic 200m gold medallist, defensive World Indoor 60m champion, 2011 World champion at 200m and 2007 World 100m champion.

At the Garden in 2011, 'VCB' easily won the 60m dash in the Visa women's 60 metres. Her additional international hardware include a bronze medal in the 100m at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and silver in the 2000 Olympic 4x100m. At the World Championships, she has won a total of seven silver medals, dating back to 2005.

Tickets, starting as low as $15, will go on sale to the universal public today at 12 p.m. Tickets will be obtainable at the MSG Box Office, Ticketmaster charge at 866-858-0008, all Ticketmaster outlets and THEGARDEN.com. Annual MSG Track & Field subscribers can contact 212-465-6073.