Australia's Jack Hale (© Getty Images)
With Cali situated at about 1000m in altitude, expect the sprint action inside the Pascual Guerrero stadium to be red hot.
In the blue riband event on the programme, look out for the wonderfully named Abdul Hakim Sani Brown, who blasted his way to the top of the world boys' list with a blistering 10.30 clocking in Tokyo in May.
The 16-year-old Japanese sprinter then proved it was no fluke by posting 10.40 for second at his National Championships in Niigata last month.
His main opposition is more difficult to ascertain, but one name that could feature is Australia’s Jack Hale who last December ran a scintillating – albeit heavily wind-aided (3.4m/s) – 10.13. His legal best is 10.42 and the 17-year-old's performances will be watched with interest.
Other names to watch out for include Carifta Games gold medallist Javan Martin (best of 10.41) of The Bahamas, Oliver Bromby (10.42) of Great Britain, Brazil’s Derick Silva, who ran an altitude-assisted mark of 10.38 in Ecuador, and Tlotliso Gift Leotleta of South Africa (10.41 at altitude).
The USA have surprisingly only once taken this title once in its 16-year history, when Prezel Hardy won in 2009 and their two representatives in Colombia, Daniel Estrada (10.64) and Micaiah Harris (10.69), would appear to have work to do based on season’s best marks to figure in the medals.
Leading the Jamaican challenge is Xavior Angus, with a best of 10.58.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
