This weekend's 109th running of the Penn Relays will attract over 100,000 fans to University City and the Penn campus.
While each event of the Relays has its own significance, many fans will flock to Franklin Field to feast on the Olympic Development events scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
As in past years, the relays have attracted some of the world's most impressive athletes, and they will all look to strut their stuff before a raucous crowd.
The most prominent and highly publicized of the Olympic Development events is by far the "USA v. the World" series.
Three events comprise the series -- the 4x100m, the 4x200m and the 4x400m relays -- for both the men and women competitors.
As of press time, none of the relay teams had been confirmed for Saturday's races, as the athletes are coming off competitions from the weekend.
While U.S. Track and Field was unable to confirm any of the specific relay teams, it did announce some of the athletes that will headline the USA v. the World series.
On the men's side, professional rookie Justin Gatlin will make the trip to West Philadelphia this weekend.
At just 21 years old, Gatlin left the University of Tennessee after his sophomore year to pursue a professional track career. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Gatlin managed to win five NCAA titles before leaving school early, including the outdoor 200m dash in both 2001 and 2002. Gatlin will likely represent the U.S. team in the 4x200m relay.
At the other end of the age spectrum for the U.S. team will be 34-year old Jon Drummond.
A Philadelphia native and graduate of Overbrook High School, Drummond will return to the Penn Relays to compete in front of a home crowd.
Drummond was a member of the gold medal-winning 4x100m relay at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, in which he ran the first leg of the relay.
Considered one of the fastest starters in the world, Drummond will likely compete in the 4x100m on Saturday.
Veteran Tim Montgomery will also likely compete in the 4x100m. Montgomery anchored the winning 4x100m relay team last year at the relays.
After a breakout season in which he set the men's 100m world record with a time of 9.78 at the IAAF Grand Prix Final in Paris, Montgomery has been in the news recently as the father of three-time gold medalist Marion Jones' baby.
The baby is due in August.
After running last year, Jones has taken time off during her pregnancy and will not compete at this year's relays.
Still, the women's side will also feature a star-studded list of competitors.
Another three-time Olympic gold medalist and track legend, Gail Devers, will again race around Franklin Field on Saturday. As one of the veteran members on the U.S. team, Devers will most likely compete in the 4x100m relay.
In the 4x400m relay, the U.S. women will rely on another senior member, Jearl Miles-Clark. Having captured gold medals in the 4x400m relay at both the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, Miles-Clark will bring her experience to the U.S. team.
Other notable athletes on the women's side are Chryste Gaines, Angela Williams and Kelli White.
All the U.S. teams will need to be at their best as they compete against teams from countries around the world, including Jamaica, Canada, Germany, Liberia and others.
The Jamaican teams almost always present the biggest challenge for the Americans, not only with their speed but with their fan support as well.
Saturday's events might seem more like "USA v. Jamaica" if the Jamaican supporters turn out like they have in the past.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
