25 May 2014

Two world records broken at IAAF World Relays

4:05 pm on 25 May 2014

Yohan Blake and a speedy Jamaican 4 by 200 metres relay team didn't need Usain Bolt to add to the island nation's collection of world records.

Blake, the world's second fastest 200 metres runner behind Bolt, turned on the jets and anchored Jamaica to a world record one minute, 18.63 seconds at the inaugural IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas.

The sizzling performance took 0.05 seconds off a 20-year-old record held by a Carl Lewis-anchored American team in 1994.

St. Kitts and Nevis finished a surprising second while France took third in a European record time after the U.S. team were disqualified.

The world record also tumbled in the women's 4 by 1500 to help launch the innovative championships in the relay-loving Bahamas.

Kenya, with Hellen Obiri on anchor, obliterated the global mark in the infrequently run event, taking top honors in 16:33.58.

The United States was second and Australia third.

Kenya's men took the other long relay, while the USA won the women's 4 by 100 in 41.88 seconds with rival Jamaicans second.

The meeting continues tomorrow.