Jamaica will not field a women’s 4x400m relay team for the first time since 2012 at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing. A total of 24 athletes and nine officials will attend, focusing on individual events instead. Key athletes like Tajay Gayle and Ackera Nugent are set to contribute positively despite the absence of the relay team.
This year, for the first time since the 2012 World Indoor Championships, Jamaica will not participate in the women’s 4x400m relay. The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has announced a team of 24 athletes and nine officials for the event scheduled from March 21-23 in Nanjing, China. Significant omissions from this year’s roster include a relay pool for the women’s 4×400 meters, with Leah Anderson and Joanne Reid competing only in the individual 400m event.
The absence of the women’s relay team marks a concerning trend in Jamaica’s 4x400m performances, particularly following the men’s team’s failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics last year. A confidential source from the JAAA indicated that the absence was due to the unavailability of athletes. Last year, during the Paris Olympics, the women’s 4x400m team experienced a disappointing incident, failing to finish after a baton drop mishap during the final leg.
Despite this setback, expectations remain high for the Jamaican athletes competing in other events. Among them, Tajay Gayle, a former world champion in men’s long jump, is poised to challenge for a medal, currently ranked second in the world with a jump of 8.34 meters, just behind Italy’s Mattia Furlani. Additionally, Olympic silver medallist Wayne Pinnock is anticipated to compete strongly after a promising season start.
In the shot put category, Rajindra Campbell, Jamaica’s first men’s Olympic bronze medalist, will represent the nation. On the track, Ackera Nugent, the women’s 100m hurdles national record holder, is set to make her World Indoors debut after clocking an impressive 7.75 seconds earlier this season. Other athletes representing Jamaica in the sprints include Jodean Williams, Natasha Morrison in the 60m, and Rohan Watson and Nishion Ebanks in the men’s equivalent.
The Jamaican team for the World Indoor Championships is as follows:
Women: Jodean Williams, Natasha Morrison, Ackera Nugent, Amoi Brown, Leah Anderson, Joanne Reid, Lloydricia Cameron, and Janieve Russell (reserve).
Men: Rohan Watson, Nishion Ebanks, Jerome Campbell, Demario Prince, Rusheen McDonald, Jasuana Dennis, Demar Francis, Tarees Rhoden, Kimar Farquharson, Romaine Beckford, Raymond Richards, Tajay Gayle, Wayne Pinnock, Jordan Scott, Rajindra Campbell, and Travis Williams (reserve).
In conclusion, Jamaica’s women will notably miss the 4x400m relay in the upcoming World Indoor Championships, highlighting a significant departure from their previous participation streak since 2012. Key athletes continue to represent the nation in individual events, including strong contenders such as Tajay Gayle and Ackera Nugent. This situation illustrates both the progress and challenges faced by Jamaican athletics as they move forward in international competition.
Original Source: jamaica-gleaner.com
