Jamaica earns spot in men’s 4x100m final at World Athletics Relays

There was no fortune for the Caribbean countries at the end of Saturday’s first day of the World Athletics Relays, as the various teams failed to advance in the men’s and women’s 4x400m events at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.

In the women’s heats, the Jamaican quartet of Charokee Young, Ashley Williams, Junelle Bromfield and Roneisha McGregor came third in the third heat in 3:29.03, behind Poland and France, who clocked 3:27.11 and 3:28.06.

Previously, Cuba (3:31.56) and the Dominican Republic (3:40.93) placed third and seventh, respectively, in the second series.

Ireland led the team that advanced, as they recorded a national record of 3:24.38 in qualifying. The United States (3:24.76), Great Britain (3:24.89), Italy (3:26.28), Norway (3:26.89), Poland (3:27.11) and Canada (3:27.17), also reserved their place in the final, as well as for the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

Meanwhile, it was more of the same on the men’s side of the action, as the Trinidad and Tobago quartet of Asa Guevara, Timothy Frederick, Shakeem McKay and Jereem Richards, clocked 3:04.15 to place third in the first heat, where Japan (3:00.98) and Germany (3:01.25) got the coveted places.

The United States initially won the series, but were later disqualified for an infraction.

Malik James-King, Zandrion Barnes, Assinie Wilson and Demish Gaye of Jamaica clocked 3:02.46 to place third, behind Belgium (3:00.09) and Nigeria (3:01.70). Guyana (3:09.91) was eighth in that heat.

The Bahamas (3:07.45) placed sixth in the third heat, which was won by Italy (3:01.68), ahead of Great Britain (3:02.10).

In the last heat, Barbados (3:03.72) and the Dominican Republic (3:08.15) placed third and sixth, respectively, while Botswana (2:59.73) and South Africa (2:59.76) took first place.

Despite missing this occasion, the teams will have another chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in the second round on Sunday.