Jamaica drops to second fastest in 4X400 relay, as USA advances

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

BARCELONA, Spain:
Jamaica’s women’s 4x400 metres relay team has been relegated to second fastest qualifiers going into this afternoon’s final set for 12:45 p.m. on the final day of the 14th IAAF World Junior Championships being held in Barcelona, Spain.

This after the United States running by themselves this morning posted a world junior leading time of 3 minutes 34.25 seconds to become the fastest qualifiers.
Jamaica’s team of Sandrae Farquharson, Olivia James, Genekee Leith and Shericka Jackson ran 3:34.96 to win their semi-final and be the only Caribbean team in the final.

The United States and Romania were disqualified following infringements in their heat. Both teams launched appeals and were allowed back into contention, but only the USA seized the opportunity, as explained by a release from the IAAF late yesterday evening.

Below is the release:

"In the first heat of the 4x400m junior women first round, there was infringement and the teams of Romania and United States disqualified, because according to the rule 170.7 the baton passed outside the takeover zone.

"Both teams filed an appeal which was rejected, but the jury of appeal taking in consideration the special circumstances (young inexperienced athletes, different judges, different guidance, etc.), decided to offer the possibility to the teams for a re-run in order to get a valid time.

"The re-run has been scheduled on Sunday 15 July at 11:00 (4 a.m. Jamaican time) and the jury decided also to change the advancement system and instead of three first from each heat and two fastest times to advance to the final, it will be the three first and the three fastest times.

"After all, Romania didn't want to run and therefore rejected the offer. However, because the USA didn't have a valid time, they will re-run at 11:00 (4 a.m. Jamaican time) and if they run faster than 3:39.44, the 4x400m junior women team of the USA will participate in the final as the 9th qualified team.

sports@gleanerjm.com