American Bershawn Jackson and Ladji Doucoure of France, respectively the reigning world championship in the 400m and 110m hurdles, are the latest key attractions announced for the 79th Kansas Relays in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, April 22.

Jackson, who returns to defend his Relays title, will face a field that includes world junior champion Kenneth Ferguson and Jamaican veteran Ian Weakly. In 2005, Jackson kicked off his season in the barriers race, and went on to win 12 of his 13 competitions.

Coming off of a low-key indoor campaign during which he skipped the World Indoor Championships in Moscow, Doucoure will face Americans Dominique Arnold and Joel Brown. Last month, Arnold captured the bronze medal in Moscow in the 60m hurdles.

Also announced was part of the the women's 100m hurdles line-up that includes two-time world championships squad member Jenny Adams, former NCAA standout Nichole Denby, and Nadine Faustin of Haiti.

The invitational events are part of the Relays' "GoldZone II" segment, a three-hour afternoon program.