Paris, August 8, 2024 — In a surprising turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Jamaican men’s 4x100m relay team has failed to advance to the finals. This marks the first time in 20 years that Jamaica will not be competing in the event’s final round.
The team, comprising Ackeem Blake, Jelani Walker, Jehlani Gordon, and men’s 100m silver medalist Kishane Thompson, secured a fourth-place finish in their heat with a time of 38.45 seconds. Despite their efforts, this time was only the 11th best overall, falling short of the top eight required to qualify for the final at the iconic Stade de France.
China took the win in the heat with a time of 38.24 seconds, followed closely by France and Canada, clocking 38.34 seconds and 38.39 seconds, respectively. The smooth baton handovers by the Chinese team were pivotal to their success in this tightly contested race.
Jamaica’s absence in the final is particularly noteworthy given its strong history in the event. Teams led by Usain Bolt dominated the men’s 4x100m relay with gold medal victories in both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. However, their 2008 victory was marred by controversy and later nullified following a positive drug test by one of the team members.
This year’s outcome is a testament to the intensifying competition and the high standards required to reach the podium in Olympic athletics. The Jamaican team and their supporters will undoubtedly reflect on this performance as they look ahead to future championships with hopes of reclaiming their place among the elite.
