What’s going on with Jamaica’s relay teams? First off, in the mixed 4x100m, Jamaica didn’t top the charts either. Canada edged them out as the fastest, but they still qualified. Now, flash forward to the women’s 4x100m heats at the World Relays on 9th May. Jamaica came into Heat 2 with a heavy-hitting squad: Tina Clayton, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Tia Clayton, and Shericka Jackson. On paper, they should’ve cruised through. But what happened on the track?
Well, Spain happened. Yes, Spain! The team of Esperanca Cladera, Jael Bestue, Paula Sevilla, and Maria Isabel Perez lit up the track with a blazing 42.18 seconds, setting a national record. They made smooth baton passes and ran with pure confidence. Jamaica, in contrast, clocked in at 42.51 seconds, securing World Qualification (WQ) and a season’s best (SB), but it wasn’t enough to snatch the win.
Spain (42.18s) get a surprise win over Jamaica (42.51s) in the women’s 4x100m heats at the World Relays!!!
Both teams qualify for the World Championships. #WorldRelays
@BBCSport pic.twitter.com/yk3WK2P1ZA
— Owen (@_OwenM_) May 10, 2025
Germany’s squad—Sophia Junk, Nele Jaworski, Jessica-Bianca Wessolly, and Rebekka Haase—finished third with 42.98 seconds, also marking their best time of the season. So, what’s the deal with Jamaica? They’ve got the talent, the stars, and all the experience, but something just isn’t clicking yet. Whether it’s a few hiccups in the baton exchanges, early-season rust, or simply underestimating the competition, they’re not quite firing on all cylinders.
But hey, the finals are still on the horizon, and both Jamaica and Spain have qualified for them. With qualification spots up for grabs for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the top 14 teams in each event—men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, plus the 4x400m relay—will secure their spot for September. The final two spots in each event will be determined by the World Athletics top list, a points-based system ranking athletes globally. So, while things may not have gone perfectly in the heats, Jamaica’s still got a shot at redemption.
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