200m MEN

The first event on the track for Jamaica on day four was the 200m heats for men where 3 of Jamaica’s sprinters vied for a spot in the semi-finals. The first Jamaican to appear, Steve Mullings, easily qualified with a time of 20.62 to lead his Round 1 heat. Later in the day Steve made his magic once again in the semi-finals to lead his heat and qualify in a time of 20.41. Usain Bolt breezed through his first round heat to also qualify easily with a carefree 20.70. He led his quarter-final heat in 20.41 to make it to the finals as expected. Jamaica’s third competitor 18 year old Ramone McKenzie very narrowly missed qualifying for the quarter-finals in a time of 20.97.

400m MEN

Jamaica’s sole competitor in the 400m, Ricardo Chambers qualified for the 400m quarter finals in a time of 45.57 behind USA’s Jeremy Wariner.

100m Hurdles WOMEN

Jamaica’s three female competitors all advanced to the semi-finals of the 100m hurdles in fine fashion. Delloreen Ennis-London placed second in her heat in a time of 12.73 setting the way for team mate Lacena Golding-Clarke who also placed second in her heat in a time of 12.90. Brigitte Foster-Hylton who had the second fastest reaction time in her heat placed first in a time of 12.67 the second fastest qualifying time behind Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Canada in 12.56.

400m WOMEN

In a very exciting show, Shericka Williams and Novlene Williams-Mills ran very worthy races in the 400m. USA’s Sanya Richards took home the gold as she eclipsed Shericka who finished 2nd in a time of 49.32, her personal best. Novlene fought Russia’s Antonina Krivoshapka for the bronze medal but was not able to pass her missing the bronze by mere milliseconds in a time of 49.77. That time was a season’s best for Novlene. Shericka’s silver medal run places Jamaica second behind the USA with two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

400m Hurdles WOMEN

Jamaica’s women once again lived up to expectations in the 400m hurdles. Melaine Walker looked strong and confident when she qualified for the finals in a season’s best of 53.26 setting the pace for Kaliese Spencer who also qualified in 54.37. Melaine’s time is the fastest going in to the finals followed by Josane Lucas of Trinidad and Tobago who set a national record in finishing second to Melaine in a time of 53.98. Nickiesha Wilson though running a season’s best narrowly missed qualifying when she finished 3rd in her heat by .03 seconds.

400m Hurdles MEN

Veteran Danny McFarlane ran a good race but was only able to manage 6th place of the 400m finals in a time of 48.65 contributing 3 points to the placing table where Jamaica is currently in 4th place behind Kenya, Russia and the United States.