The women’s 4×400 metres for Jamaica progressed to the final at the Tokyo Olympic Games as they finished second behind favourite the United States of America (USA) in Heat Two on Thursday.

The quartet of Junelle Bromfield, Roneisha McGregor, Janieve Russell and Stacey-Ann Williams was competitive throughout and led shortly at one stage, in a heat that was the fastest of the two.

Five of the teams from this heat progressed to the final with the top three automatically advancing as well as the two fastest finishers.

Bromfield was among the leaders on her leg, with McGregor assuming the lead at the cut in after 500 metres, but was passed in the homestretch by Wadeline Jonathas of the USA.

Russell, the 400 metres hurdles fourth-place finisher was steady throughout and at one stage challenged Kendall Ellis of the USA before handing over to Williams who just cruised home behind the USA’s Lynna Irby as both teams had a comfortable lead over their rivals.

The USA won in 3:20.86 minutes with Jamaica doing 3:21.95 as Great Britain just narrowly got the third automatic spot to advance with 3:23.99. All three times were seasonal bests.

The Netherlands who ran a national record of 3:24.01 seconds and Canada with a season-best of 3:24.05 also advanced from the heat.