Jamaica snatches American male sprint relay record

BAHAMAS, Nassau — (From left) Yohan Blake, Nickel Ashmeade, Warren Weir and Jermaine Brown of Jamaica pose after setting a new world record of 1:18.63 in the men’s 4×200 metres relay during day one of the IAAF World Relays at the Thomas Robinson Stadium here, yesterday. (PHOTO: AFP)

Before the start of the historic inaugural IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas all the talk surrounded whether or not Jamaica could break the longstanding 4x200m world record held by the USA’s Santa Monica Track Club. The rarely run race is not a standard event on the racing calendar and has managed to stand since 1994.

On Saturday May 24^th the Jamaican quartet of Nickel Ashmeade, Warren Weir, Jermaine Brown and Yohan Blake erased the 20 year old record of 1:18.68 when they stopped the clock at 1:18.63 finishing ahead of second placed St. Kitts and Nevis by over 30 metres. France finished third in the event.

Yohan Blake who missed almost all of last season due to a hamstring injury, anchored the team to victory with a blazing final leg of 19 seconds flat.

The USA who was expected to challenge Jamaica for gold had a mishap with their baton exchange and was disqualified after crossing the line third.

In the women’s 4x100m relay final the USA got the better of Jamaica who ran without 100m World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to win gold. The Jamaican quarter of Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart, Schillonie Calvert and Samantha Henry-Robinson ran 42.28 for the silver medal.