JAAA names World Relays team

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has selected 39 athletes, comprising 20 females and 19 males, to represent the country at next month’s World Athletics Relays, scheduled for the Silesian Stadium in Chorzow, Poland, between May 1 and 2.

Rio Olympic double gold medallist Elaine Thompson Herah along with the likes of Nataliah Whyte, who ran an impressive opening leg and Shericka Jackson, who anchored Jamaica’s gold medal-winning 4x100 metres relay team at the World Championships in 2019, will lead the charge for the females.

On the male side, veterans Asafa Powell and Nesta Carter, along with Julian Forte, will be carrying the colours in the 4x100 metres event.

Formerly known as the IAAF World Relays, this will be the fifth staging of the event, which has seen The Bahamas hosting the first three instalments with the last meet being held in 2019 in Yokohama, Japan.

In terms of medals, Jamaica’s best result came at the first staging in 2014, when they walked away with five medals, which included two gold, two silver and one bronze.

With several of the country’s top athletes including World Championships 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and the country’s top 100 metres male sprinter Oblique Seville deciding not to participate at the meet, the country will be under serious pressure to maintain their good overall record at these Championships, having finished second at all four stagings.

According to President of the JAAA, Garth Gayle , selection was based on those who made themselves available.

“This team was selected from the current World Athletics ranking and also those who had indicated to the association, their availability,” said Gayle.

Gayle also made mention of the men’s 4x100 metres relay team.

“This will be a very crucial championships for our men’s 4x100 metres relay team, as they are yet to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games and this will be one of our more significant events at the meet,” he added.

TEAM

4x100M Women

Natasha Morrison, Natalliah Whyte, Ramona Burchell, Elaine Thompson Herah, Kashieka Cameron, Shashalee Forbes

4x200M Female

Elaine Thompson Herah, Shashalee Forbes, Natalliah Whyte, Candice McLeod, Tiffany James, Anastasia Leroy

4x400M Female

Stephenie-Ann McPherson, Shericka Jackson, Shiann Salmon, Janieve Russell, Rhonda Whyte, Tovea Jenkins, Roneisha McGregor, Christine Day

Shuttle Hurdles

Rasheed Broadbelt, Ronald Levy, Deuce Carter, Janeek Brown, Megan Tapper, Jeanine Williams

4x100M Men

Oshane Bailey, Nesta Carter, Julian Forte, Nigel Ellis, Romario Willams, Asafa Powell, Kadrain Goldson

4x200M Men

Nigel Ellis, Romario Williams, Kadrian Goldson, Michael Bentley

4x400M

Zadrian Barnes, Troy Whyte, Javon Francis, Terry Thomas, Keeno Burrell, Jamoi Jackson, Demar Murray, Nathon Allen

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Manager- Marvin Anderson

Assistant Manager- Craig Richards

Team Doctor- Dr Anthony Cox

Technical Leader- Paul Francis

Coach- Jerry Holness

Coach- Bertland Cameron

Coach- Lamar Richards