Top things to know
- Jamaica finished second in the mixed 4×100 m relay with 39.72 seconds, 0.08 seconds behind the USA’s national record.
- Imperfect baton exchanges were cited by Jamaica as the main reason for missing the gold.
- The race was the opening day highlight of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
On the opening day of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, the Jamaican mixed 4×100 m relay team—Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Jonielle Smith—finished second with a time of 39.72 seconds, just 0.08 seconds behind the United States, who set a national record of 39.64 seconds. According to the Jamaica Gleaner, the quartet were world‑record holders in the event but were unable to secure the win because of imperfect baton exchanges. Great Britain and Northern Ireland took third in 40.26 seconds, as reported by the Jamaica Observer.
The race was the highlight of the championships’ opening day. Jamaica’s silver medal was confirmed by both the Gleaner and Observer, which also quoted Tina Clayton saying the team’s tactics “did not go exactly as planned” and that clearer exchanges might have improved their result. The Jamaican quartet pushed the Americans all the way, but the U.S. team’s flawless handovers and a slight edge in speed sealed the victory.
Jamaica remains a strong contender in the 100 m finals, with Oblique Seville and Tina Clayton already lined up for the men’s and women’s finals on Saturday. Seville won his qualifying heat in 9.90 seconds, while Clayton has already secured a spot in the women’s final. The mixed relay result underscores the depth of Jamaican sprint talent, even as the team works to refine its baton technique.
The world record for the mixed 4×100 m relay stands at 39.62 seconds, set by Jamaica in 2022. The 39.64 seconds national record by the United States is only 0.02 seconds shy of that mark, illustrating how close the competition is at the highest level. According to the AMS source, the Jamaican team’s imperfect exchanges were the decisive factor in the outcome.
In the same meet, Jamaica had a single individual track final appearance: Megan Simmonds finished fifth in the 100 m hurdles with a season’s best of 12.42 seconds. The mixed relay remains the marquee event for Jamaica, showcasing the country’s sprinting depth.
The event took place at the National Athletics Center in Budapest, a venue that hosted the opening day’s highlights. Jamaica’s silver medal was celebrated by fans and officials alike, with the Jamaican flag flying high as the team celebrated their close finish.