Jamaica's women and men advance to 4x400m relay finals

Jamaica positioned itself for more medals at the 15th IAAF World Track & Field Championships, by booking places in Saturday's finals (local time) of the 4x400 metre relays.

With Anastacia Le-Roy on lead leg, handing to individual bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, then to Chris Ann Gordon and Christine Day anchoring, Jamaica finished 2nd to Nigeria in a time of 3 mins 23.62 secs. Nigeria recorded 3 mins 223.27. Russia was 3rd in 3 mins 23.75.

In the second semifinal, the USA won in a time of 3 mins 23.05, a team which included Sanya Richards Ross and Francena McCorory. Great Britain was second in 3 mins 23.90 secs and France 3rd in 3 mins 24.86 secs.

Joining Nigeria, Jamaica, Russia, USA, Great Britain and France in the final were Ukraine and Canada. 

In the men's equivalent, the team of Peter Matthews, Ricardo Chambers, Dane Hyatt and Javon Francis qualified Jamaica who finished third in semifinal-2, with a time of 2 mins 58.69 secs. The United States won the heat in a time of 2 mins 58.13 secs ahead of Trinidad & Tobago who closed on Francis who was easing down, as T&T snatched 2nd in 2 mins 58.67.

Francis displayed discomfort in the area of his left shoulder which he clutched while lying on the track after the semi-final.

France and Russia will , therefore, join Great Britain, Bahamas, Belgium, USA, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago in the final Saturday morning.