Things always get better, right? Well, for the Jamaicans, day 2 of the World Relays was anything but that. After all, while the men’s 4x100m team entered the fray built to dominate, what transpired not only crushed their dreams of a podium finish but also jinxed their chances at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. But with a team built up of names like Rohan Watson, Julian Forte, Yohan Blake, and Kishane Thompson, how did this upset event happen? From missed exchanges to a disastrous baton moment, is the Jamaican dream dead?
And while things are hard for every Jamaican, it was perhaps even harder for Kishane, who never even got to touch the baton. For a rising star who’s been called the future of Jamaican sprinting, that’s more than just a missed opportunity. It’s a heartbreak. Meanwhile, Belgium and Kenya seized the moment, clocking 38.49 and 38.51 to grab the last qualifying spots. But hold on! Jamaica’s road to Tokyo isn’t closed just yet.
Enter the World Athletics rankings. They may be down, but they’re not completely out. So, how can Kishane Thompson and the Jamaicans still make it to the World Championships despite the chaos in the Bahamas? A tweet on X highlighted, “Based on World Rankings, Jamaica may still stand a great chance of having a team in the Mixed 4×4 and Women’s 4×4 for Tokyo, based on the times done at the Olympics in Paris.”
Based on World Rankings, Jamaica may still stand a great chance of having a team in the Mixed 4×4 and Women’s 4×4 for Tokyo, based on the times done at the Olympics in Paris.
— Donald Smith (@dpos_smith) May 11, 2025
This glimmer of hope shines through after the Jamaican team’s gut-wrenching loss in the 2025 World Relays, reminding everyone that their journey isn’t over yet. In Heat 1 of the 4×100 meters, the Jamaican squad seemed to have everything lined up for success. Rohan Watson kicked things off with a solid 10.61, and Julian Forte kept up the blistering pace, but it all came crashing down during the second exchange.
As Yohan Blake approached to hand off the baton, the anticipation was electric, only for the unthinkable to happen. The baton hit the ground. Fans watching from home and the crowd in the Guangdong Olympic Stadium were stunned into silence, while Kishane Thompson could only watch in disbelief. The baton mishap meant an immediate exit for Team Jamaica from the 2025 World Relays, along with the harsh reality that they had failed to qualify for the Men’s 4x100m finals.
For Kishane Thompson, the dream of gold at this event was dashed in an instant. There’s still a glimmer of hope, a final shot at redemption. The team’s chance to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. With everything to fight for, the Jamaican team will need to push their limits and keep their eyes on the ultimate goal, even if the sting of their World Relays’ defeat still lingers.
Jamaica’s Relay Troubles Continue Amid Global Rivalry
Those in the top three in each heat automatically qualify for the world championships during the repechage round. Desperate to make amends after a dismal Day 1, Jamaica wanted to put forward a decent performance on Day 2, but their best efforts were not enough. Instead, Day 2 was dominated by Spain in the mixed 4x400m relay.
The powerhouse team delivered an electrifying performance, finishing in 3:12.55 and not only securing their victory but also setting a National Record on their way to Tokyo. Germany took second with a solid 3:13.35, and China snatched third with a 3:13.39, setting their own National Record. With that, all three teams punched their tickets to Tokyo. As for Jamaica, the heartbreak began on Day 1.
Not even a key player, Thompson got the chance to take to the track. A baton drop resulted in an immediate disqualification, as there was no desire to bring home the gold at the World Relays for the team. Thompson, along with Rohan Watson, Julian Forte, and Yohan Blake, left the track in shock, a crucial moment for the team’s weekend. Coming out was Team Jamaica.
After a slaughter the night before, there was a burning desire for redemption, but again, the unthinkable occurred. Just before the baton was to be passed to Thompson, Forte suffered an injury, resulting in yet another early exit. This isn’t the first time Jamaica has faced such frustration. Flash back to the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the men’s 4x100m relay team was ready to keep the nation’s legacy alive.
However, botched baton passes brought Jamaica home in 11th place from the heats with a stumbling clock of 38.45 seconds, undefeated in denying them a place in the final and the World Championships. Jamaica’s men’s 4×100m relay had never failed to get through to the Olympic final for the last two decades. Sidelining Thompson from competing and a historic drop were experienced in the country’s enviable relay legacy. After a recount of the relay disaster by the World Relays in Paris. Jamaica’s strongest legacy in terms of track is currently at a difficult phase.
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