Jamaica to make final attempt at Olympic 4x400m men qualifier
In its final attempt to qualify Jamaica’s men’s 4x400m relay team for next month’s Olympic Games in Paris, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) will be staging a 4x400m relay race during the National Championships on Sunday, June 30 at the National Stadium.
Jamaica, currently ranked 17th globally in the men’s 4x400m, has previously failed three times to secure qualification for the Paris Olympics. Their latest attempt was at the New Life Invitational in the Bahamas on June 16, where JeVaughn Powell, Kimar Farquharson, Reheem Hayles, and Tarees Rhoden clocked 2:59.75s, narrowly missing Zambia’s 16th-ranked time of 2:59.12s.
Ian Forbes, the JAAA’s first vice president, confirmed that one Caribbean country is set to participate, with efforts ongoing to secure another international participant for the event.
“I am happy to report that there will be a 4x400m relay race at the National Championships to facilitate qualification. For information, at least two countries must be present in the race for it to be ratified as a bona fide race and it will count towards qualification,” said Forbes.
“I am happy to report that Jamaica will be represented and we also have a team St Vincent and Grenadines and Jamaica’s representation will not only be one team, we have a number of teams and we are also working on another country and of course an international team as well,” he said.
“We are confident that all things being equal, the young men should be able to qualify and of course continue our rich history and tradition in the 4x400m relays,” he said.
Forbes highlighted adjustments made in collaboration with stakeholders to accommodate the event, ensuring athletes have sufficient rest before competing.
“We have consulted with the stakeholders and we would have had at least two meetings and I can say that this race will be run on the final day of the championships which is the 30th of June at 8:05 pm,” Forbes said. “In ensuring that our athletes are not overburdened, the schedule, which would have been crafted over two months ago, we have had to tweak and make modifications.
He noted that athletes advancing from these semis, along with the two fastest losers, will proceed to the final set for Friday at 8:50 pm.
“Initially planned for Friday, the men’s 400m final has been moved to Sunday to allow adequate recovery time,” Forbes clarified. “We prioritise the health and well-being of our athletes, ensuring they rest on Saturday. The JAAA will also provide recovery assistance, including equipment and technology, to keep them fresh for Sunday’s race.”
Forbes also acknowledged the support of two local companies, Fleetwood Jamaica Limited and Tile City, who have collectively pledged one million dollars towards participants in the race.
“It will be a tiered approach and once the qualification time is attained, the full million dollars will be pretty much allocated on a prorated basis to the participants in this race. Those two companies are Fleetwood Jamaica Limited and Tile City,” Forbes remarked.