MIAMI, FL – Olympic 400 metres champion Kirani James will start his 2016 outdoor season at the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational on April 16, according to the organisers.
James, who owns a personal best of 43.74 seconds, is preparing to defend his title at the Rio Olympic Games later this summer after becoming the first Grenadian to win an Olympic medal at London 2012.
The Caribbean leading quarter miler who has won junior titles at IAAF World Youth Championships and IAAF World Junior Championships, captured his first senior gold medal at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu.
At the last major championships, James clocked his second fastest time ever and the joint 8th quickest over the distant all-time, at 43.78 secs, but the performance was only good enough for a bronze medal at the world championships in Beijing, last year.
Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa and American LaShawn Merritt finished ahead of the Grenadian.
At the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational, the 24-year-old James is set to battle in the one-lap event with fellow Caribbean star quarter miler Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as well decorated American former World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner.
Bahamian national record holder Steven Gardiner is also listed among the starters, according to Organizers, so too is former U.S. champion Tony McQuay, who was a gold medallist as a member the American 4x400m relay quartet at London 2012.
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