(Jamaica Observer) With Jamaica currently holding two of the eight world relay records in the men’s 4x100m and 4x200m, members of Jamaica’s team arrived in Nassau, Bahamas for the 2017 IAAF World Relays scheduled for April 22-23.
Rival United States has three records — the men’s 4x400m and the women’s 4x100m and 4x200m.
The US men’s team will be seeking to repeat their rare sprint relay triumph over Jamaica with the absence of sprint legend Usain Bolt and former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, who pulled out due to injury.
However, world 100 metre champion Yohan Blake headlines a strong-looking Jamaican team, which could emerge victors over the Justin Gatlin-led US team.
Their female teammate Elaine Thompson, double Olympic sprint champion in Rio, will be joined in the women’s 4x100m squad by Gayon Evans, Simone Facey, Sashalee Forbes, Natasha Morrison and Christania Williams.
Much will be expected of Thompson, especially with the absence of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 2008 and 2012 Olympic 100 metre champion, who is pregnant.
World Relays Timetable (Jamaica time)
Saturday, April 22
6:35pm – Women’s 4x200m heats
6:59pm- Men’s 4x100m heats
7:31pm – Women’s 4x400m heats
8:12pm – Men’s 4x400m heats
9:00pm – Women’s 4x800m final
8:48pm – Mixed 4x400m heats
9:12pm – Men’s 4x100m final B
9:21pm – Women’s 4x200m final
9:36pm – Men’s 4x100m final
Sunday, April 23
6:35pm- Men’s 4x200m heats
7:00pm – Women’s 4x100m heats
7:22pm – Men’s 4x400m final B
7:35pm – Women’s 4x400m final B
7:47pm – Men’s 4x800m final
8:11pm- Women’s 4x400m final
8:29pm – Men’s 4x200m final
8:46pm- Women’s 4x100m final B
8:55pm- Men’s 4x400m final
9:13pm – Women’s 4x100m final
9:30m – Mixed 4x400m final
