The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Women's 4x400m could spring a surprise

BY RAYMOND GRAHAM, Star Writer

(From left) Jamaica's Shericka Williams, Shereefa Lloyd, Novlene Williams and Davita Prendagast pose together after the team won the silver medal in the women's 4x400m relay final at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan, last year. - AP

WHEN the quartet of Shericka Williams, Sherefa Lloyd, Davita Prendegast and Novlene Williams-Mills posted a national record of three minutes 19.73 seconds to get the silver medal in the women's 4x400 metres relay at the World Championships in Osaka last year it was a big surprise to many, as this was one of Jamaica's weakest quartet, at a major championships. However, showing great determination, the athletes delivered at the highest level.

Women delivered

With only Williams-Mills making the 400 metres final, there were many who thought that the Jamaicans could not finish among the medals as the United States, Great Britain and Russia were the three favourites for the medals. But with all four women stepping up, they delivered, and it only took a super run from the United States' Allison Felix on the second leg to deny Jamaica gold as they won in 3:18.55.

With the Jamaicans highly ranked in the individual 400 metres this year, they could give the country its first-ever gold at the Olympics in this event as they try to break the national record once again. The United States, with a leading time of 3:23.49 done in Texas in May, will surely be favourites, as they are expected to run the same quartet of Deedee Trotter, Felix, Mary Wineburgh and Sanya Richards, which won gold in Osaka. Three members of Jamaica's Osaka squad will return with national champion Rosemarie Whyte taking the place of Prendegast, who did not make the team this time around.

Step it up

Jamaica's best time so far this year is 3:25.04, done by the MVP team in Walnut, California, with the next best being 3:27.46 done by the Under-23 team in Mexico last month. Jamaica will have to step up their performance as Russia, who disappointed in Athens where they finished fourth, will be hoping to make amends as they come into the Olympics as the second-ranked team with their 3:23.77 done in Annecy, France, in mid June. Although the Russians are highly ranked in the individual event, they have a tradition of choking at the big meets and come the Olympics, this may not change.

After parading the gold and silver medallist in the 400 metres in Osaka, Great Britain was one of the favourites to win but they had to settle for third behind the Jamaica team as they have not beaten the Caribbean team for years at a major championships.

The United States will be hoping for another great run from Felix as their other runners, except Sanya Richards, seem to be losing form. Since their national trials, Trotter has not competed while the likes of Natasha Hastings and Wineburgh seem to be struggling and could play second fiddle to the Jamaicans.

The Jamaican team is much stronger than last year as all four athletes have gone under 51 seconds, and in reserve is young Bobbigaye Wilkins, who is a demon with the stick in her hand could retain her place for the final after participating in the preliminary round. True, the United States has the best quarter-miler in the world in Richards, but the other members of the team will have to deliver as the Jamaican quartet is expected to put on an exceptional performance and could strike gold.