Photo: The Jamaican quarter of Jura Levy,Shericka Jackson,Shasha Lee Forbes and Elaine Thompson won gold for Jamaica in the 4x200m Women’s final. (Getty Images)
The USA won their third successive IAAF/BTC World Relays 2017 as the curtains came down on another successful staging of the World Relay Carnival inside the Thomas A Robinson Stadium. The team having won five of the nine events over the two-day programme finished on 60 points, 21 ahead of Jamaica who once again settled for runners up on 39 and Australia was third with 24.
The Jamaican’s only victory came in the female 4×200 relay where the team transmitted all the youthful energy and speed, together with clean efficient baton changes to secure the final in a new championship record time of 1:29.04 seconds.
Led off by the former Vere technical sprinter, Jura Levy the team was off to a rocket start, before handing over to 400m specialist Shericka Jackson who turned on the after burners in the second 200 to give Jamaica a sizeable lead.
Shasha Lee Forbes who came in to replace Anasatacia Leroy, was scorching on the third leg to hand the baton to Elaine Thompson who closed the show in fine style.
The win gave Jamaica its first win in the event at the championships, having copped bronze and silver the two previous stagings of the international relay Carnival.
Team Germany ran their hearts out to dispatch USA for second place. The Germans crossed the line in 1:30.68 seconds, with the Americans in 1:30.87 seconds. Defending champions Nigeria finished fifth in 1:33.08 seconds.
The 4×100 relay final was missing the world record holders, who botch their exchange in the heats. The mishap happened on the third leg involving Kemar Bailey Cole and Jevaugh Minzie.
The Americans who had to tussle with the Canadians in the heats, was left unchallenged easing to victory in 38.43 seconds. Barbados finished second in season best effort of 39.18 seconds and China in 39.22 seconds.
Canada, which was led by Olympic silver medallist Andre De Grasse, dropped the baton on the backstretch between Aaron Brown and Brendon Rodney.
Great Britain and the Netherlands also failed to get the baton across the track to all four runners.
Both USA teams ran brilliantly to defend their 4×800 relay title. The quartet of Chanelle Price, Olympian Chrishuna Williams, Laura Roesler, and Charlene Lipsey beat Belarus in a winning time of 8:16.36 whilst Clayton Murphy, Erik Sowinski, Cas Loxsom, and Brannon Kidder won in 7:13.16 seconds.
The second day of competition brought bitter sweet victories for the black, green and gold. Despite not winning a championship relay all the teams managed podium finishes. First up was 4×400 female quartet of Janieve Russell on lead, Anniesha Mclaughlin-Whilby, Verone Chambers and Stephenie Ann Mcpherson producing season best efforts to cop the bronze medal in a season best effort of3:28.49 seconds .
The race was won by pre event favourite USA in a world leading 3:24.36 seconds ahead of a strong Polish quartet rallying to snatch second in 3:28.28 seconds
Lashawn Merrit piloted the USA male team to the 4×400 title. The team was pressed down to the wire by a fierce looking Botswana squad, to cross the line. 3:02.13 seconds
The Jamaican team running without top quarter miler Jevon Francis, put in a gutsy performance to secure the country’s first medal at these games, with bronze in that final.
The team was placed in pole position with a brilliant leg from Peter Matthews, who handed off to a composed Demish Gaye who stormed the second leg. Former world youth champion Martin Manley, produced a scintillating third leg to hand over to Steven Gayle who fought gallantly but couldn’t pass Merritt on the inside on the backstretch but he held on for the third spot in 3:02.86 seconds. Botswana, with 18 year old star Karabo Sibanda held on for second in 3:.02.28 seconds.
U.S. women were heavy favored to win the 4×100 finals with the Jamaicans not running Elaine Thompson. Tiana Bartoletta was sent packing to the carpet on the lead off leg leaving the door open and Germany in probably the biggest upset of the meet, took the gold medal in 42.84. Jamaica finished second in 42.95 and China.third in 43.11.
In the Men’s 4x200m Canada took victory in 1:19.42, the US took second in 1:19.88, with Jamaica third in 1:21.09.
The Thomas A Robinson Stadium in Nassau was treated to a spectacular close, as the home nation romped to victory in the 4 x400 mixed relay final.
A power packed squad of Steven Gardiner, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Anthonique Strachan and Michael Mathieu won in 3:14.42 seconds.The US took second in 3:17.29, with Jamaica third in 3:20.26 seconds.
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