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ONE OF the most eagerly awaited National Senior Championships is set to begin today at the National Stadium as senior athletes vie for places on Jamaica's team to the Tokyo Olympics next month.

On the eve of the Championships, fans were given what seemed to be good news that for the first time in more than a year, they would be allowed at a major local sporting event. The Government gave permission to the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) to have 5,000 patrons in attendance on a daily basis over the four days. The JAAA, however, decided against such a move.

"After further review and consultation with Government and non-Government stakeholders, it was decided that all arrangements could not be implemented in time, hence spectators will not be accommodated," the body said in a press release last night.

Fireworks is expected over the four days as this could be the end of careers for some athletes while it could be the beginning of stardom for others.

Young sprint hurdles sensation, Rasheed Broadbell, the world number three in the men's 110m hurdles with 13.10 seconds, has withdrawn because of an injury suffered in training.

It should be a quiet start today with the qualifying round of the men's 100m, set for 9:30 a.m. Here, the top seven finishers will move forward to join the 25 seeded athletes who will contest the quarterfinals at 6:50 p.m.

Preliminary-round action

Later today, there will be preliminary-round action in the women's 400m hurdles at 5:20 p.m., the men's 400m hurdles at 5:40 p.m., and the showcase event of the meet, the women's 100m at 6:35 p.m.

Veteran Veronica Campbell Brown, who was to compete, will not be in action after announcing her retirement yesterday.

Three ladies who are in the top four of the World Athletics ranking will be on show. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, with a world lead of 10.63s, will begin action, along with world number three Elaine Thompson Herah (10.78s), and Natasha Morrison (10.87s) will lead the charge. Two other sub-11s athletes, Briana Williams (10.97s) and Kemba Nelson (10.98s) are also on the start list. World Championships and Olympic Games 400m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, with a personal best of 11.02s, are all expected to make this a humdinger.

One final will be contested today is the men's javelin throw at 3:30 p.m.