USA, Jamaica rule IAAF event

The Americans won four of the six events held on Sunday.

The Jamaican team without Usain Bolt won gold in the 4x200m relay

Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell- Brown led her team to clinch gold in the 4x100m event

Nassau ( The Bahamas), May 4: The United States and Jamaica showed off their amazing strength in track depth by dominating the second and final day of the IAAF World Relays on Sunday.

Although in- form sprinter Justin Gatlin failed in his bid for a second gold, the Americans won four of the six events raced at a packed Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in the capital of the Bahamas in warm, windy conditions.

While sprint star Usain Bolt was an absentee from Jamaica’s victorious men’s 4x200m team — even though he had been seen warming up — Veronica Campbell- Brown held it together for the Jamaican women to see off Carmelita Jeter in the 4x100m.

“We came to execute our race and win the race. We passed the baton around and ran to the line,” Campbell- Brown said.

There was no double joy for Gatlin after his success in part of the American 4x100m squad as his quartet were disqualified from the men’s 4x200m relay, won by the Bolt- less Jamaica in 1min 20.97sec.

The Jamaicans overcame a botched baton change between Nickel Ashmeade and Rashid Dwyer to steam through, Gatlin finishing strongly was ruled out.

“It was an exciting win. We came here with a strong team. We’re all focusing on Beijing ( world championships) and we had a great start to the season to build on, said Ashmeade.

Campbell- Brown ensured more sprint gold for Jamaica by anchoring home quartet comprising Simone Facey, Kerron Stewart and Schillonie Calvert in 42.14sec, the United States heading off Britain for silver.

The United States went on to break local hearts by taking the men’s 4x400m, LaShawn Merritt outstripping veteran Chris Brown on the final leg for victory in 2min 58.43sec. The Bahamas, the reigning Olympic champions, finished second ahead of Belgium.