Jamaica Breaks World Record in Mixed 4x100m Relay

Jamaica's relay team blazed through the finish line in under 40 seconds, setting a world record that proves athletic excellence keeps reaching new heights.

Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson, and Tia Clayton carried their team to glory at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana on Saturday. They crossed the finish line in 39.99 seconds, shaving 0.31 seconds off the previous world record that Canada had set just a year earlier.

The record didn't stand alone for long. Canada set their own world record earlier in the day before Jamaica topped it, while Germany, Netherlands, and Nigeria also ran faster than the old mark.

Jamaica's dominance continued throughout the competition. Five-time Olympic medalist Shericka Jackson helped lead the women's 4x100m relay team to the fastest time of the day at 41.96 seconds.

The Ripple Effect

The competition showcased something bigger than individual records. Athletes from around the globe pushed each other to achieve times that seemed impossible just months ago.

Canada's Andre De Grasse, fresh off his Paris 2024 gold medal, anchored his team to a world-leading time of 37.56 seconds in the men's 4x100m relay. South Africa, Germany, and even the United States all finished within fractions of a second, each posting times that would have won most competitions.

Great Britain dominated the mixed 4x400m relay with a blistering 3:09.69. Australia closed out the day by setting their own world-leading mark in the men's 4x400m at 2:57.30.

The event in Botswana wasn't just about glory. The top finishers secured automatic spots at the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, giving these athletes a direct path to compete on the world's biggest stage.

These records remind us that human potential keeps expanding when athletes inspire each other to greatness.