Nine athletes have withdrawn from Jamaica’s team to the 2nd IAAF World Relays, set for this weekend – May 2-3 – in Nassau Bahamas.
Elaine Thompson, the fastest woman in the world this year at 10.92 and Commonwealth Games 400m hurdles bronze medallist Janieve Russell headline the list of withdrawals.
Sprinters Kemarley Brown, Julian Forte and Andrew Fisher, all members of UTech’s 4x100m and 4x200m winning teams at Penn Relays, are also out of the team.
Rising stars Shericka Jackson and Christania Williams, along with middle-distance runners Andre Thomas and Jeromia Riley, have all pulled out of the squad.
Marie Tavares, manager of the team, was quoted as saying "It is disappointing that they won't be making the trip, but we can't avoid it. It is what it is and we will have to make the best of the situation and work with who will be there. We know they won't let us down and it may very well make everyone else work even harder.”
Jamaica, to be led by Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, will take part in 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m for men and women along with the women’s 4x800m.
