London 2017 | 400m women look to rebound in relays

LONDON, England:
Jamaica's quarter-mile pair of Shericka Jackson and Stephenie-Ann McPherson are hoping Jamaica's depth in the 400 metres will reflect in the 4x400m relay at the World Championships in London, starting tomorrow. 

The duo, along with Novlene Williams-Mills competed in the 400m final inside the London Stadium on Wednesday night, finishing outside of the medal positions.

However, with the Jamaican women are regular fixtures on the mile relay podium and head into the event as the defending gold medal winners. 

"I will definitely be back in the 4x400m heats. We are coming out to do our best, there were three of us in the final and I think we will do pretty well in the relay," said Jackson, who finished fifth in 50.76 seconds. 

Sixth placed finisher McPherson, 50.86, has been fighting injuries all season and despite her sixth place finish in the 400m final, believe collectively, the Jamaicans can again challenge for a gold medal finish.  

"We have five persons that can run 49 seconds so hopefully we can win or get second or third," McPherson said. 

Williams-Mills, was eighth in 51.48 seconds with semi-finalist Chrisann Gordon as well as the experienced Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby and Anastasia Le-Roy completing the women's 4x400m relay pool.

Meanwhile Jackson, the bronze medal winner at last year's Olympics and the 2015 World Championships, said she was satisfied with her effort in the flat event.  
"I didn't get a medal but I am still happy. I finished injury-free so there is nothing more I could have asked for. I think it was a pretty good run, I felt better than I did in the semi-final so it was decent," she added. "I wanted to get out and finish strong, I ended fifth and there was nothing more that I could have done. 

The event was won by American Phyllis Francis in a personal best 49.92 seconds ahead of Bahrain's Salwa Eid Naser, 50.06 and veteran American Allyson Felix, 50.08.

McPherson added that she was grateful for a spot in the final after going through a season with several setbacks.

"I was hurt most of this season so to come out here and make it to the final, I am grateful. Sixth place, I am happy with it," McPherson said.