PARIS, France — National senior sprinters Kemba Nelson and Alana Reid are expressing strong belief that the Jamaican quartet can rise to the occasion in Friday’s final of the women’s 4x100m relay event at the Olympic Games to secure a podium finish.

The final, scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm Jamaica time, will be held at the Stade de France.

Along with Nelson and Reid, the Jamaican team, which is relatively inexperienced, also includes Tia Clayton and Shashalee Forbes.

They booked their place in the final by finishing third in their heat with a time of 42.35 seconds on Thursday. The team has been depleted due to the absence of star sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, both of whom withdrew from the competition due to injuries.

Nelson said the remaining team members are committed to giving their best in the final.

“I am feeling good; I feel like we got the job done in the heat. It was just about getting the stick around and advancing to the next round. We just need to be more efficient, not slow down the baton, and keep it moving.

“[We should] trust the markers, trust the teammates, and we should be good. I am always confident in relays, with partners and practice, and we have to be confident that we get the baton around.”

The Jamaicans are the defending Olympic champions in the event, having captured the title at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021.

The United States have the fastest time going into the final after winning their heat in 41.94, while the Jamaicans will enter the final with the fifth fastest time.

Reid, the national 100m junior record holder, noted that they will be pulling out all the stops to ensure they win a medal.

“I feel good, and it is a great feeling to be here, so it is just for me to come out here tomorrow [today] and do my best. Whatever leg I am given, I am going to give my best on it,” she said.

“I know the other ladies will come out and do their best because we are aiming for the podium. Even though it is a young team, we are all strong, and we are all determined to be on the podium. We just have to have faith in ourselves.”

Reid emphasised that they have nothing to fear from their opponents in the final.

“I think we are just enjoying the moment right now, but we are going out there to do our best nevertheless. It’s just about staying focused and humble. We know we don’t have certain people on the team, but we are here, and we have to make the most of it and go out there and make the country proud,” she said.