World Relays: Jamaica’s men and women’s 4×400 teams fail to book World Champs tickets
Jevaughn Powell of Jamaica receives the baton from teammate Assinie Wilson as they compete in the men’s 4x400m relay qualifying round 1 during the Gaborone 26 World Athletics Relays at the National Stadium in Gaborone on May 2, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
May 3, 2026
Both Jamaican 4x400m relay teams failed to book a ticket for next year’s Beijing World Championships after finishing outside the top two in their second round races at the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana on Sunday.
After both finished fifth in their respective first round races on Saturday, they had a second chance at booking their places in the World Championships, but fell short of the goal.
Both teams were unchanged from the first round – the women’s team comprising Andrenette Knight, Leah Anderson, Janielle Josephs and Shiann Salmon; while the men’s quartet were Assinie Wilson, Jevaughn Powell, Jeremy Bembridge and Reheem Hayles.
The women were third in their race in 3:25.38, faster than the 3:27.19 they had run on Saturday, and third overall, but they just missed out. Ireland won in 3:23.83, ahead of France. 3:24.48, both advancing to the World Championships.
The men’s team were fourth in 3:01.63, after running 3:00.48 seconds on Saturday. They were ninth overall on Sunday.
-Paul A Reid
