NASSAU, The Bahamas – The United States team won the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas for the second consecutive year, with a total of 63 points. The Bahamas finished 10th with 11 points.
The IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 were held May 2-3 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, which brought together more than 1,000 of the best athletes in the world and coaches from 50 countries.
The following races were held: 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m and a Distance Medley with qualifying rounds for the 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m (male and female).
A number of records were made during the Bahamas relays: the United States won the Men’s Distance Medley relay with a time of 9:15:51, setting a new World Record; shaving off 0.06 off the world record. The team received a bonus cheque of $50,000 and was awarded the Golden Baton.
And, the USA Women shattered the world record in the Women’s Distance Medley with a time of 10:36.50 and a $40,000 bonus cheque.
The team from Nigeria pulled an upset and won the women’s 4x200m in dramatic fashion in a time of 1:30.52 to set a national record. The team comprised Blessing Okagbare, Regina George, Dominique Duncan, and Christy Udoh.
Jamaica came in second with a time of 1:31.73; its team — Samantha Henry-Robinson, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shericka Williams and Sherone Simpson.
Germany came in third with a time of 1:33.61 with team members Rebekka Haase, Anne Christina Haack, Nadine Gonska, and Josefina Elsler.
The overall points standing are as follows:
· 1 United States – 63
· 2 Jamaica – 46
· 3 Poland – 34
· 4 Australia – 25
· 5 Germany – 21
· 6 France – 19
· 7 Kenya – 15
· 8 Great Britain – 15
· 9 Brazil – 13
· 10 The Bahamas – 11
· 11 Canada – 11
· 12 Nigeria – 10
· 13 Trinidad & Tobago – 8
· 14 Mexico -7
· 15 Japan – 6
· 16 Belgium – 6
· 17 St Kitts & Nevis – 6
· 18 China – 5
· 19 Cuba – 5
· 20 Ireland – 4
· 21 Papua New Guinea – 3
· 22 Switzerland – 3
· 23 Botswana – 1
The 2015 IAAF World Relays will serve as a qualifying competition for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
