‘THIS ONE’S FOR GIBBO’
SANTIAGO, Chile – Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team will contest the final of the event here at the Pan American Games on Thursday evening.
The team of Odaine McPherson, Andre Dacres, Jevaughn Whyte, and Michael Sharp finished third in semi-final two, clocking 39.55 seconds. They finished behind Brazil (38.84), and Argentina (39.53). Venezuela also advanced in fourth as a non-automatic qualifier finishing in 39.65 seconds.
While the team is pleased to advance, it complained about not hearing the call “reach” for the baton exchange, because of the crowd at Estadio Nacional.
McPherson, wearing the message “RIP Gibbo” on his bib, says they are dedicating their run in the final to the late GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport Vice Principal Gibbs Williams, who was murdered in Portmore, St Catherine last month.
The United States of America is also in the final having won the first semi-final in 38.89 seconds.
Cuba is also in, finishing second in 38.92, as is Trinidad and Tobago, who was third in 39.53.
Paraguay took the second non-automatic qualifying spot clocking 39.71.
The final takes place on Thursday evening at 9:03 pm local time, 7:03 Jamaica time.