Jamaica faced a double setback at the world athletics relays held in Guangzhou, China, as their men’s 4x100m relay team was unable to qualify for the Tokyo world championships. On Sunday night, Julian Forte, who was competing in the second leg of the qualifying round, suffered a hamstring injury while nearing teammate Yohan Blake. Despite his efforts to complete the race and pass the baton, Forte collapsed on the track and was subsequently taken away in a wheelchair. The night before, the team had already been disqualified due to a baton drop during a handover attempt.
This disappointing performance left Jamaica’s hopes of qualification reliant on rankings, with only two spots still available after 14 had already been secured over the weekend. Fans were left wishing to see Jamaica’s renowned speed in the upcoming championships.
In contrast, Team Australia celebrated a successful outing with several commendable results. Their mixed 4x400m relay team, featuring Cooper Sherman, Ellie Beer, Reece Holder, and Alanah Yukich, not only broke a national record in the qualifying round but also claimed silver in the final with a time of 3:12.20, surpassing their previous record of 3:12.34.
Australia’s women’s 4x400m team, comprising Mia Gross, Beer, Jemma Pollard, and Alanah Yukich, also secured their spot in the world championships by finishing second in their heat with a time of 3:27.31. Meanwhile, the men’s 4x400m relay team confirmed its eligibility through a strong showing that culminated in a second-place finish in their heat, clocking in at 2:59.73.
However, not every Australian team had a clean run. The women’s 4x100m squad encountered a major hurdle, facing disqualification due to a botched baton exchange between Kristie Edwards and Thewbelle Philp. The error occurred when Philp looked back during the handover, leading to a collision that compromised the exchange.
In a lighter moment, the mixed 4x100m team made its debut at these relays, with Australians Olivia Dodds, Bull, Connor Bond, and Josiah John finishing fourth in a time of 41.22 seconds. With the competition heating up, Australia’s athletics teams are gearing up for future championships, aiming to solidify their standings on the global stage.