TOKYO, Japan, CMC – The Carib-bean’s chase for medals at the Summer Olympic Games ended here yesterday, with Jamaica’s women capturing bronze in the distance relays but Trinidad and Tobago’s men coming up empty-handed in the same event.
In the women’s event, Roneisha McGregor, Janieve Russell, Shericka Jackson and Candice McLeod produced a steady performance to clock three minutes, 21.24 seconds, behind the United States who took gold in 3:16.85, with Poland second in 3:20.53.
The peerless USA team included the outstanding Allyson Felix, who first competed in the Games in 2004.
Jamaica found themselves hamstrung when they were forced to run without their top 400 metres athlete Stephenie McPherson due to injury.
Jackson, who copped bronze in the 100 metres earlier in the Games, also won gold in the women’s 4×100 on the previous day.
“It was very, very difficult, honestly,” Jackson said in a post-race interview.
“I believe I am a sprinter now so it was very, very difficult but I wanted to run my best leg so I went out there and give it my best and my best was good enough.
“We got a bronze medal and we got a season best so we just have to be grateful,” added Jackson who ran the third leg.
The 4x400m success gave Jamaica their ninth medal in Tokyo with gold garnered in the 100 and 200 by Elaine-Thompson-Herah, in the 110 metre hurdles by Hansle Parchment and in the women’s sprint relay.
Not to be outdone, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico also won gold, with wins in the triathlon by Flora Duffy, by Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo in their respective 400 metre finals, along with Jasmin Camacho-Quinn in the 100 metre hurdles respectively.
Minutes after the women’s 4x400m, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago saw their efforts fall short in the men’s equivalent.
Jamaica’s team of Demish Gaye, Christopher Taylor, Jaheel Hyde and Nathon Allen finished a disappointing sixth in 2:58.76 as the US took gold in 2:55.70.
Trinidad and Tobago’s team of Deon Lendore, Jereem Richards, Dwight St Hillaire and Machel Cedenio ended last in 3:00.85.
“My teammates and I, we gave it everything we’ve got but unfortunately today we weren’t good enough,” said Allen who ran the anchor leg.
“When I got the baton, I realised I had quite a bit of ground to make up. I should’ve made my move on the backstretch but it was too much for me today.”
The Games end today with the men’s marathon but there will be no contestants from the Caribbean.
That event will bring the curtain down on a track and field competition illuminated with world records by Venezuelan triple jumper Yulimar Rojas and Americans Sydney McLaughlin and Karsten Warholm in the women’s and men’s 400 metres hurdles.
The 2024 Olympic Games will be held in the French capital, Paris.
