Warren Blake confident in Jamaica's Relays squad despite key withdrawals

Jamaica heads into this weekend's World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, missing several of its biggest names, but team official Dr Warren Blake insists the squad still has the firepower to make a strong showing across the two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday.

Reigning World 100m champion Oblique Seville and World Championships silver medallist Kishane Thompson have both been ruled out, as have 400m specialists Roshawn Clarke and Tajh-Marques White. Even so, Blake — assistant team leader and the squad's safeguarding officer — believes the athletes travelling to Botswana can rise to the moment.

"Overall, I expect the team will do well, and I think we should qualify for all the relays finals even with the depleted 4x100m men's relay team," said Blake.

He credited tighter preparation and a renewed emphasis on baton work for his confidence going into the meet.

"We have some very good athletes that will be competing at this championships because we are taking it very seriously," he said. "I think that the coaches are taking it very seriously because in the lead-up to this championships, we have been having relays warm-ups where the different clubs have made their athletes available to practise with baton changes, and so I think we should perform well at this championships like we have done in the past."

The former Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president acknowledged that the road to the podium will not be smooth, but he expects Jamaica to stand its ground against the world's best.

"Overall, this is really a very good team that we have assembled, but it is going to be tough, like all championships, but I think we will survive, and we will come out good."

Ackeem Blake will spearhead the men's 4x100m unit, joined by Rasheed Foster, Kadrian Goldson, Rohan Watson, Ryiem Forde, Adrian Kerr and Odaine McPherson. The women's contingent carries plenty of pedigree, headlined by double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, two-time World 200m champion Shericka Jackson, sprint twins Tina and Tia Clayton, Jonielle Smith and Briana Williams.

The Jamaican delegation is entered in six events: the men's and women's 4x100m, the mixed 4x100m, the men's and women's 4x400m, and the mixed 4x400m.

SQUADS

Women's 4x100m: Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Jonielle Smith, Jodean Williams, Natasha Morrison, Lavanya Williams, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, Briana Williams.

Men's 4x100m: Ackeem Blake, Rasheed Foster, Kadrian Goldson, Rohan Watson, Ryiem Forde, Adrian Kerr, Odaine McPherson.

Women's 4x400m: Shana Kay Anderson, Rochelle Clayton, Andrenette Knight, Shian Salmon, Leah Anderson, Janielle Josephs.

Men's 4x400m: Jeremy Bembridge, Raheem Hayles, Jevaugn Powell, Antonio Watson, Assinie Wilson, Deandre Watkins.