#CariftaGames2023: Jamaica will not contest re-run of U20 boys’ sprint relay
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica will not contest Monday’s re-run of the boys’ under-20 relays at the 50th Carifta Games at the Thomas A Robinson stadium in The Bahamas, after a protest successfully filed by Barbados.
The Jamaican team of Javorne Dunkley, Shaquane Gordon, Demario Prince and Deandre Daley had won the final on Sunday evening in 39.68 seconds. Bahamas was second in 39.78, Trinidad and Tobago was third in 40.83 seconds.
Meet Director David Charlton explained that a protest was filed by Barbados on the grounds that the race was recalled well into the first leg and gave them a disadvantage.
Charlton said, also, that the lead off runner for the Bahamas team was left behind in the blocks as he had not heard the gun and they thought he had “an unstable start.”
Barbados finished fourth in the race on Sunday.
However, Jamaica’s technical leader David Riley told OBSERVER ONLINE, “We aren’t contesting the re-run because the ruling from the Jury of Appeal did not declare the results null and void.”
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Under-17 boys’ and girls’ 4x100m relay teams were both disqualified after Sunday’s final, both for baton exchanges outside of the exchange zone, the official reports said.
The boys’ team had originally placed second behind the Bahamas. Their disqualification resulted in Grenada being moved up to the silver medal and Trinidad and Tobago into the bronze medal spot.
The Jamaican girls had crossed the finish line first. Trinidad and Tobago have now been awarded the gold medal, Bahamas the silver and Bermuda the bronze.
-Paul A Reid