SAINT-DENIS, France — Jamaica’s 4×100-meter relay team failed to make the finals of their event on Thursday, in yet another mystifying failure by the world’s sprinting powerhouse.
The foursome of Ackeem Blake, Jelani Walker, Jehlani Gordon and Kishane Thompson covered ground in 38.45 seconds and missed the final field by .06 seconds.
Sticks did not pass smoothly between Walker to Gordon and then from Gordon to Thompson. The anchor extended his left hand and at grasped, at least twice, only to come up with air. By the time he took the baton, it was too late.
China, France and Canada all finished ahead of Jamaica in that heat and will be in the finals joining the United States, Great Britain, South Africa, Japan and Italy.
That race is set for 7:47 p.m. local time on Friday or 1:47 p.m. E.T. Jamaica holds the world and Olympic record in this event, set in London in 2012.
Thompson captured silver in the 100-meter earlier this week. But that was the second consecutive Olympic games without gold for Jamaica, an island which grown accustomed to top podium positions after Usain Bolt’s 100 three-peat of 2008-16.
In the women’s 100-meter, Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia shocked the world with her win as Jamaica’s Tia Clayton came in seventh. This race broke a four-Olympic winning streak by Jamaica in this event.
Gabby Thomas struck gold for America in the 200-meter, which Jamaica had won in four of the past five cycles before Paris.
When Bryan Level failed short of making the men’s 200-meter field, set for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. local time, that marked the first time in 20 years that a Jamaican man hadn’t run in that event’s final.
These results have stunned Jamaica — which was already reeling from the unexpected withdraws of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson.
There’s still hope for Jamaica to salvage some precious metals on Thursday night as the team sends three into the 110-meter hurdles.
Hansle Parchment, Rasheed Broadbell and Orlando Bennett expect to challenge the race favorite, American Grant Holloway, at 9:45 p.m./3:45 p..m.
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