Championships in Winnipeg, Canada, may hinge on how well they adjust to the cooler weather conditions that prevail there.

Sprinter Keivon Richardson was the only local athlete participating yesterday at the University of Manitoba and he finished seventh in the semifinal of the 100 metres with a time of 11.44 seconds. First was Jonathan Burrell.

National coach Gerry Swan and team manager Dawnette Bean were concerned about how well the athletes would perform in cool conditions with the temperature hovering in the mid 60s yesterday and expected to dip considerably lower during the evening.

"It is a bit chilly here right now but there is no wind and we are expecting everybody to perform well under the conditions,'' said Bean prior to Richardson's debut. "The facilities here are very good and it should be an exciting meet.'' Today's schedule will have Richardson competing in the 200 metres in the morning and Aaron Bean appearing in the long jump in the evening.

Tomorrow the rest of the athletes will become involved for the first time.