Jamaica broke the Mixed 4×100 Relay world record as only three of the six teams advanced to the finals at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana on Saturday morning.

The quartet of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Tia Clayton stopped the clock at 39.99 seconds and became the first country to dip below the 40-second barrier in the event.

Canada held the previous world record coming into the Relays of 40.30 and they broke it, clocking 40.07 in winning Heat 1. Then the United States of America won Heat 2 in 40.36 before Jamaica stole the show, winning Heat Three in 39.99. Running under the new format of man, woman, man, woman.

Jamaica also qualified for the World Athletics Championship to be held in Hungary in 2027 as only the Men’s 4×100 team failed to make the final but will have a second bite at the cherry to qualify for the World Championship on Sunday.

The Jamaican team without Kishane Thompson and Oblique Seville, started with Rohan Watson, Odaine McPherson, Adrian Kerr and Rasheed Foster, finished fourth in Heat 3 in 38.06. The race was won by Canada in a world leading 37.56. Germany was second in a national record of 37.67. The Americans clocked 37.77 in winning Heat One.

But thee were good news in the Women’s 4×100 as the team of Shericka Jackson, Jodean Williams, Levanya Williams and Jonielle Smith running in Heat Three, stopped the clock at 41.96 which was the fastest into the final.

Germany was second in 42.44, while Portugal broke their national record in finishing third in 43.11. Spain were second fastest overall in winning Heat One in 42.26 as the Americans could only clock 43.33 and failed to make the finals, finishing with the 12^th best time.

The 4x400s were disastrous for Jamaica as both male and female teams failed to qualify for the finals. The female team of Andrenette Knight, Leah Anderson, Janielle Josephs and Shiann Salmon clocked 3:27.19 and were fifth in Heat One behind Spain in 3:24.44. Jamaica were 11^th best overall.

In the Men’s 4×400 relay, the quartet of Assinie Wilson, Jevaughn Powell, Jeremy Bembridge and Raheem Hayles were fifth in 3:00.48. Australia won in 2:57.30 ahead of Botswana in 2:57.52.