SYDNEY, Australia:
JAMAICA, one of the favourites for gold, blazed to a season best 42.46 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals of the women's 4x100 metres at the 2000 Sydney Games early on Friday (Thursday evening Ja time).
Vere Technical schoolgirl Veronica Campbell, making her Olympic debut, ran a dazzling second leg after collecting the baton in front from 100 metres bronze medalist Tayna Lawrence. From there on it was smooth sailing for Beverly McDonald on the curve and Merlene Frazer on the final leg as Jamaica hit the line five metres in front.
The winning time was the fastest of the round, beating the 42.58 of World Champions Bahamas, 42.82 by Germany who were second in Jamaica's heat and 42.92 by the United States which fielded a team which did not include Marion Jones or Gail Devers.
It is expected Jamaica will include Merlene Ottey for the semi-finals later today and in the final which, barring injury or a dropped baton, they are certain to reach. The women's sprint final is set for 7.40 on Saturday here (3.40 a.m. Saturday Ja time).
The men's team of Donovan Powell, Dwight Thomas, Lindel Frater and Llewlyn Bredwood was less impressive but they also advanced to the semi-finals with the ninth fastest time of the round, 38.97. A fairly good effort for the first round. Jamaica were fourth in the second of five heats, behind Brazil 38.32, Italy 38.84 and Nigeria 38.85.
Powell ran a fairly listless first leg but with Patrick Jarrett, the third place finisher at the national champions, nursing a hamstring injury Jamaica are likely to stick with this quartet for the semi-finals, and the final, if they reach that far.
Bredwood, though he did not run the 100 or 200 metres, is reportedly the fastest of the Jamaicans in training now and the only change could see Chris Williams replacing Powell. Thus Frater would start to Thomas, then Williams and Bredwood on the final leg. The final is at 8.05 p.m. her Saturday (4.05 a.m. Saturday Ja time).
The United States, with 100 metres champion Maurice Greene on the anchor leg, clocked 38.15 to lead all qualifiers. Greene is expected to be joined by Jon Drummond and Curtis Johnson in the final and the United States could break the 37.40 world record they set at Barcelona in 1992.
By Elton Tucker
Assistant Sport Editor
