Jamaican men fail to advance to 4x100m relay final

In a shocking move, perennial relay powerhouse Jamaica was eliminated in the semifinals of the men’s 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics on Thursday.

The 100m silver medallists Kishane Thompson, Jehlani Gordon, Ackeem Blake and Jelani Walker finished fourth in the second heat in a season’s best time of 38.45 seconds, missing out on a spot in the final by 0.06 seconds.

The Jamaican team improperly handed over the baton in the last two passes, and although Thompson tried hard to catch up in the last leg, he was unable to do so.

The Chinese team won the championship with a score of 38.24 seconds, the French team won the runner-up with a score of 38.34 seconds, and the Canadian team won the third place with a score of 34.39 seconds.

The United States, the favorite to win the gold medal, won the first round with a time of 37.47 seconds, far ahead of South Africa (37.94 seconds) and Britain (38.04 seconds). The latter three finished second and third respectively and advanced to the finals.

The Jamaican women’s team of Alana Reid, Kemba Nelson, Shashalee Forbes and Tia Clayton outperformed the men, finishing third in the second round in 42.35 seconds and automatically qualifying for the women’s 4×100m relay final with the sixth-fastest time.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Akilah Lewis, Sole Frederick, Sanaa Frederick and Leah Bertrand finished eighth in the same race in 43.99 seconds and failed to advance.

The British team won the championship with a time of 42.03 seconds, and the French team came in second with a time of 42.13 seconds.

The U.S. women also dominated the first round, winning easily in 41.94 seconds, with Germany (41.25) and Switzerland (42.38) finishing second and third, respectively.

Elsewhere, it was a tough morning for Caribbean athletes.

Jamaicans Lloydricia Cameron (18.02m) and Danniel Thomas-D0dd (18.12m) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Portious Warren (17.22m) all failed to qualify in the women’s shot put.

Haiti’s Emilia Chatfield and Bahamas’ Denissa Cartwright also failed to advance in the women’s 100m hurdles repechage, with times of 13.24 and 13.45, respectively.