France, Germany, Jamaica and U.S. will rely on athletes making transition into pro ranks or still with remaining NCAA eligibility in quest for Platinum Trophy at eight-nation event in London

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The inaugural Athletics World Cup is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at London Stadium, with eight nations competing for a $2 million prize pool based on the point scoring in 34 total events, 17 in each gender.

In addition to the financial bonus, the winning nation receives the Platinum Trophy, with each athlete on the victorious roster also earning a platinum winners’ medal, to go along with the awarding of gold, silver and bronze medals in each event.

China, France, Germany, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Jamaica, Poland, South Africa and the United States have been selected to compete, with several nations relying on talent that recently completed their final collegiate seasons or still has NCAA Division 1 eligibility remaining.

The U.S. boasts the most college All-Americans on its roster, headlined by USATF Outdoor champions Keturah Orji of Georgia in the women’s triple jump, Maggie Ewen of Arizona State in the women’s shot put, Valarie Allman of Stanford in the women’s discus throw, Kahmari Montgomery of Houston in the men’s 400 meters, Rudy Winkler of Rutgers in the men’s hammer throw and Curtis Thompson of Mississippi State in the men’s javelin throw.

In addition, Georgia’s Kendal Williams (100, 4x100 relay), North Carolina’s Kenny Selmon (400 hurdles), Ohio State’s Zack Bazile (long jump), Houston’s Cameron Burrell (4x100 relay), Tennessee’s Nathan Strother (4x400 relay) and Arkansas’ Obi Igbokwe (4x400 relay) are scheduled to compete for the American men.

San Diego State’s Ashley Henderson (100, 4x100 relay), LSU’s Kymber Payne (400 hurdles) and Mikiah Brisco (4x100 relay), Purdue’s Brionna Thomas (4x400 relay) and Arkansas’ Kiana Horton (4x400 relay) are part of the U.S. women’s roster.

Jamaica’s roster includes Florida’s Clayton Brown in the men’s high jump, with fellow Gators All-American Lloydricia Cameron competing in the women’s shot put. Kansas State’s Shadae Lawrence is entered in the women’s discus throw, Minnesota’s Nyoka Clunis will compete in the women’s hammer throw and Auburn’s Jonielle Smith is a member of the women’s 4x100 relay pool.

France features South Carolina long jumpers Rougui Sow and Yann Randrianasolo on its roster, with Germany boasting UCLA All-American Jessie Maduka in the women’s triple jump.

The track events are the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,500, 100/110 hurdles and 400 hurdles, along with both relays. The field events are the high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, javelin throw, hammer throw, discus throw and shot put.
The events will be split between eight field and nine track competitions each day, culminating Sunday with the women’s 4x100 relay and men’s 4x400 relay.