Report22 Apr 2017


Women's 4x200m final – IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017

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Elaine Thompson anchors Jamaica to a World Relays record in the women's 4x200m (© Getty Images)

Propelled by a strong opening leg by Jura Levy, Jamaica powered to a convincing victory in the women's 4x200m, clocking a 1:29.04 competition record in the process.

The foursome – which included Olympic 400m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, Sashalee Forbes and anchored by double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson – made up for another quartet's botched exchange two years ago by putting on the finest exchange-and-carry display of the first night's competition, extending their lead with each leg. 

By the time Thompson got the baton, she was handed a full second lead, one she extended to more than a second-and-a-half before crossing the line. 

"We came out and passed the baton around good," said Thompson, whose homestretch display was reminiscent of her triumphant half lap run in Rio. "There was no pressure, we came on the track and do what we do. We made sure we secured a spot in the finals earlier tonight and just came and do what we do."

While their exchanges were clean, the USA squad, the co-favourites coming in, was never quite in the hunt, struggling to eat up the gap that Levy and Jackson built. The German quartet, perhaps inspired by their opening round run where they finished just 0.10 behind the US team, improved on that considerably, taking the runner-up spot due largely to Gina Luckenkemper's strong anchor leg. They clocked 1:30.68 to finish one podium step higher than in 2015.

The USA were third a few strides back in 1:30.87. Further back, Trinidad and Tobago were fourth in 1:32.68 with Nigeria, the 2015 winners, fifth this time in 1:33.08.

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF

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