Elaine Thompson-Herah made a golden return to the global stage, anchoring Jamaica to the women’s 4x100m title as the tiny nation once again punched above its size by topping the medal table at the World Athletics Relays that was concluded on Sunday in Botswana.

Thompson, who just recently made a return to the track after battling injuries, teamed up with Briana Williams, Jodean Williams and Lavanya Williams to clock 42.00 on the back of a blistering anchor leg from Thompson-Herah, who got the baton four metres down in second and had time to ease up as she reached the finish line ahead of Canada (42.17) and Spain (42.31).

“I’m grateful that I crossed the line healthy,” said Thompson-Herah after racing in her first major international event since the 2023 World Championships. “Coming down the home straight, I felt like my leg was heavy – like a hamstring – but I knew that I had to bring the team home because we were looking forward to that.

“We came here in high spirits and I’m satisfied to walk away with the gold. I came here hungry for more and it worked out perfectly.”

Jamaica won the first gold of the meet as the quartet of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton stormed to their second Mixed 4x100m world record, stopping the clock at 39.62.

Canada took silver in 40.23, ahead of the United States of America in 40.33. Germany finished fourth in 40.52.

Jamaica picked up its third medal courtesy of the Mixed Relay 4×400 team of Deandre Watkins, Shana Kaye Anderson, Antoinio Watson and Rushell Clayton, finishing second in a national record of 3:08.24. The USA won in 3:07.47 with Great Britain taking bronze with 3:09.84.

Jamaica finished atop the medal table with three, including two gold and a silver. The USA was second with two gold and a bronze.

The Jamaican runners will have approximately US$150,000 ($23.5m) to share among themselves from prize monies earned..