Golden record for Jamaica 4x200m ladies at World Relays

BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior staff reporter

Jamaica won its first gold medal at the IAAF World Relays last night in The Bahamas with a blistering run that brought home the coveted gold in the Women’s 4x200m. If this was not enough for the ladies, they also set a new championship record of 1:29.04.

Jamaica made a tactical switch from the heats, shifting Elaine Thompson from the opening leg to the anchor leg, and. In addition the coaches brought in the promising Sasha Lee Forbes for Anastasia LeRoy on the third leg, and it worked wonders.

Jura Levy got the gold medal-winning effort to a wonderful start and once Shericka Jackson got into her stride the race was as good as over as Jamaica won by a huge margin.

The Germans were second in 1:30.68 after just outbattling the Americans who finished in third position.

It was the first time Jamaica were winning this event since the inception of the World Relays in 2014.

In a post-race interview, Thompson, who is the reigning Olympic 100m and 200m champion, said there was strong belief within the camp that once they got the baton around, Jamaica would win.

“It was a case of getting the baton around. We did well in the heats and we just had to get the baton changes right to bring home the gold medal for Jamaica,” Thompson said with a huge smile on her face.

This is the first time that the Olympic champion is competing at the World Relays.

source: jamaica observer