by Larry Eder
US dominance
NASSAU (BAH, May 3): Golden Baton at 2nd IAAF World Relays as in first edition for the US team with 63 points. Second Jamaica 46 and third Poland 34. In total 23 countries scored points. At the end USA won 7 out of 10 events. Remaining three went twice for Jamaica (4×100 m women, 4×200 m men) and one for Nigeria (women 4×200). Two world records for both Distance Medley relays held for first time at international stage. In remaining 8 events everywhere new World lead was registered and in three of it also new meet record (both 4×800 m and men 4×100 m). That means very succesfull second edition, the third will be back in Nassau in 2017.
Event by event
Men
4×200 m: As in women race also here due to lack of experience difficulties with hand-offs. Jamaica won in 1:20.97 but was faster in heats 1:20.19 WL. US after bad hand-off between Young and Mitchell way back and despite great finish by Gatlin (third at the finish line) was disqualified (1:20.78 in heats). Other medals for European teams France 1:21.49 (1:21.41 in heats) and Germany 1:22.65 (1:21.46 in heats).
4×400 m: Highlight of the day as Chris Brown was chasing LaShawn Merritt but US won in 2:58.43 WL (Verburg, McQuay, Wariner before). Home silver 2:58.91 and Borlee´s with Watrien won for Belgium bronze in national record 2:59.33. Jamaica fourth 3:00.23. From European teams Belgium and Great Britain qualified for Olympic Games. Poland won the B final in 3:03.23.
DMR: The only World record of the day by USA in 9:15.51, improvement by 0.05 from Merber, Spratling, Brandon Johnson and Blankenship. Kenya tried hard and got silver in African record 9:17.20 over Australia 9:21.62 and Poland European record 9:24.07.
Women
4×100 m: Great anchor by VCB gave the win for Jamaica in 42.14 WL (Facey, Stewart, Calvert before her). USA close also top time 42.32 (Bartoletta, Felix, Duncan, Jeter) and bronze for Great Britain 42.84 just edging Canada 42.85, Trinidad 42.88 (42.87 in heats), Brazil 42.92 and Nigeria 42.99. Switzerland as 8th qualified also for Rio 43.74 (43.68 in heats). Ecuador won the B final in 44.14 NR over Bahamas also 44.14. Biggest surprise in heats out for Germany, Jamaica clocked first WL 42.50 without VCB (Morrison).
4×400 m: USA achieved one of the best times in recent years at the distance 3:19.39 (Francis, Hastings, second gold for Sayna RR and McCorory). It is the fastest since London Olympic Games final. Jamaica clear second 3:22.49 and in European duel for bronze Britain 3:26.38 beat France 3:26.68. For Olympics also Poland 3:29.30, Canada 3:29.65, Australia 3:30.03 and Brazil 3:31.30. B final winners Cuba 3:30.94.
4×800 m: No question about USA here with fast 8:00.62 continental record, meet record (Price, Vessey, Ludlow, Montano). Poland held-off the challenges and got silver 8:11.36 over Australia 8:13.97. Here weak Kenya was last.
Splits: Bolt 8.65
Usain Bolt clocked one of the fastest ever recorded anchor legs 8.65. But USA got the fastest first three runners split in the 4×100 m with 28.55 in the finals. In the women 4×100 m fastest anchor by VCB 10.00 (Jeer 10.18). First three sprinters fastest split was 32.00 in heats by Jamaica, in finals Jamaica and USA had identical 32.14. Best 4×400 m splits on the men side US Tony McQuay as 2nd runner 44.00 and Jamaican Javon Francis as anchor also 44.00. Kevin Borlee was third fastest with 44.01 as anchor. In women final clearly top two fastest Sanya Richards-Ross 48.79 and Francena McCorory 49.27. In the 4×800 m in the men race fastest split US Erik Sowinski as second runner 1:44.75, on the women side Alysia Montano as anchor 1:58.90. In DMR Sanya Richards-Ross 50.12 and Kenyan Alphas Kishoyan 45.48. In the 800 m part Ajee Wilson 2:00.28 and Kenyan Ferguson Rotich 1:44.49.
