Jamaica ended the 14th IAAF World Championships in Moscow today with gold medals in the men’s and women’s sprint relays and a Championship record for the women. Overall, Jamaica bagged nine medals: 6 gold, two silver and one bronze to place third after host country Russia (7-4-6) and USA (6-14-5).
First, the Jamaican women got to the final with a 41.87secs win of their heat by the quartet of Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart, Schillonie Calvert and Sherri-Ann Brooks, in that order. Then for the final, the team retained 75% of its members, replacing Brooks with double World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whose firepower coupled with high-speed baton changes though all zones resulted in a Championships record of 41.29 and a new national record.
The USA, running without Carmelita Jeter, botched the exchange at the second zone but recovered well enough to place third behind France in 42.75. The French were then disqualified and the Americans promoted to silver while Britain was elevated to bronze with 42.87.
In the men’s edition, the team of Nesta Carter on leadoff, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Warren Weir and Oshane Bailey clocked 38.87 for second place behind Great Britain in the preliminary rounds. However, Usain Bolt replaced Bailey on anchor in the final, and the team raced to 37.36 to defeat the USA and Great Britain. The British team was, however, disqualified for passing the baton outside the exchange zone at the second exchange and the bronze went to Canada with 37.92.
A review of the race clearly shows US anchor Justin Gatlin stepping several times out of his lane, into Bolt’s, at the final changeover.