The Bahamas phenom Steven Gardiner, as was expected from his earlier runs, ran an inspiring one lap to pocket the 400m silver medal registering 44.41 to close proceedings on day Five of the XVI IAAF World Championships at the Olympic Park In London on Tuesday.
Jamaica’s first time visitors to the world championships, Nathon Allen and Demish Gaye ended 5th and 6th respectively with 44.88 and 45.04. The men from the Caribbean were up against a top class field and were outsped by the defending world champion, world record holder and Olympic champion, South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk who took the title in 43.98. The bronze medal went to Qatar’s Abdalelah Harouin with a late run in 44.48, a season best.
With Michelle Lee Ahye, Trinidad & Tobago’s 100m 6th place finisher, not reporting for duty, there was almost full advance of Caribbean athletes to the semifinals of the women’s 200m.
Topping the list winning heat four in 22.69 and just behind leader Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands (22.63 for the heat one win), was Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the Olympics 400m champion, who is attempting double gold. Her teammates Tynia Gaither, 2nd in heat one with 22.98 and Anthonique Strachan, 3rd in heat six with 23.23 will also be in Thursday’s second round along with the three Jamaicans Simone Facey, 2nd in heat four in 23.98, Sashalee Forbes, 3rd in heat three in 23.26 and Jodean Williams, 5th in heat one, 23.38.
Completing the qualifiers, is Semoy Hackette(TTO), 23.50 for 3rd in heat seven. Missing out, was 19 year old, Sada Williams of Barbados, 23.55 for 5th in heat four.
After a dodgy post Trials campaign, four time championships performer, Ristananna Tracey of Jamaica has qualified for Thursday’s 400mh final. She won heat two of the semis, looking good in 54.79 to rank herself in the second slot, led by double champion Zuzana Hejnova of the Czech Republic who took the first heat with 54.59.
Jamaica’s US Collegiate Danniel Thomas-Dodd, with 18.42m confirmed her world rank status by slotting herself in the 5th spot on the advancing ladder, coming in 3rd in Group A of the women’s Shot Putt qualifying round.
Her teammate Gleneve Grange, competing after a special invitation from the governing body, was 13th in the same Group, her 15.96m not good enough to make the final on Wednesday.
