When it comes to track and field, two countries particularly stand tall with pride: Jamaica and America. However, there’s been some unfortunate news from Jamaica that has left the track and field community in dismay. During the Jamaican trials on June 16th, Jamaica’s hopes for competing in the men’s 4x400m event at the Paris Olympics took a significant blow as the team failed to secure a spot in the top 16 in their final bid on Sunday. Consequently, they will be absent from the global competition.

Despite the best efforts of athletes Reheem Hayles, JeVaughn Powell, Kimar Farquharson, and Tarees Rhoden, Jamaica fell short. Their timing was commendable, clocking in at 2:59.75 in the Bahamas. However, it wasn’t sufficient to surpass Zambia’s earlier record of 2:59.12 seconds set in March.

This was their third try after previous attempts in May, as they didn’t make the cut. At the World Athletics Relays earlier in May, they finished third in their first-round heat and fifth in the subsequent run, missing out on qualifying. With the deadline approaching at the end of June, France and Zambia look set to qualify, having clocked 2:58.46 last year.

Indeed, it’s a significant setback for Jamaica, especially considering their consistent presence in this event at major championships over the years. Rumors about Jamaica not making it to the Paris Olympics had started circulating on Reddit a month before the trials, so the outcome wasn’t entirely unexpected. However, as soon as this news broke, fans began to express their growing disappointment, especially on X.

Disappointment and optimism surrounding track and field men’s 4×400 relay team’s failure to qualify

Among the many fans, a few expressed their disappointment about the men’s 4×400 relay team’s failure to qualify for Paris. One fan said, “We won’t have a men’s 4×400 relay team in Paris 🥹😭 we failed to qualify,” capturing the shared sense of sadness among supporters. It’s noteworthy that Jamaica hasn’t qualified for the men’s 4x400m at any major championships in decades, marking a significant departure. However, last time Jamaica secured an Olympic gold medal in the men’s 4×400-meter relay was at the 2012 London Olympics, with a team comprised of Chris Brown, Michael Mathieu, Ramon Miller, and Demetrius Pinder. Historically, Jamaica has claimed gold in this event only twice before, in 1952 and then again in 2020.

Another fan pointed out the unlikelihood of other countries helping them qualify, saying, “I get your optimism, but why would any of these other countries take the risk and go out of their way to accommodate us qualifying? What’s in it for them?” This highlights the competitive nature of international sports, where it’s uncommon for rivals like the USA to offer assistance. While we’re familiar with the prowess of the USA’s 4×400 team, it’s worth noting that this time, Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion, will be participating, provided he qualifies in the trials for USA.

Despite the disappointment, many fans chose to focus on appreciating the athletes’ efforts. One supporter aptly stated, “In the end, I hope they know we appreciate them! They really ran.” This comment expresses the enduring support and admiration for the athletes, regardless of the outcome. Examining their performance, the team competed fiercely against a Barbados squad and an international quartet, clocking a courageous 2:59.75 at the NACAC New Life Invitational in Nassau, Bahamas. However, they fell short of surpassing Zambia’s 2:59.12 seconds set in March, a mere difference of 0.63 seconds. As one fan remarked, “2:59 doesn’t get you to the Olympics, that’s crazy.” this was what they need for Olympics.

In a similar stone  another fan added, “I genuinely didn’t think we were gonna make that time. Great job getting below 3 minutes, but it’s hard for people to go sub-3 without competition, much less 2:59 low/sub-2:59. There will be so much blame being thrown around. The way mi vibes bruk for this Oly.” The fan is expressing surprise and admiration for the team’s performance, acknowledging the difficulty of achieving a time below 3 minutes in the absence of strong competition.

These comments not only highlight the frustration with the organizational aspects but also acknowledge the athletes’ efforts and the tough conditions they faced. Despite the disappointment, these remarks show the deep concern and investment in the team’s performance, indicating that fans hold both the athletes and the association accountable for the outcome.