Jamaica Concludes London Games with Record-Breaking Relay Performance

On the eve of the last track event at the 2012 London Games, the question among track fans was not if Jamaica would break the world record in the men’s 4x1 relay but by how much will the record be lowered. The Jamaican quartet of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt conducted a clinic in speed and baton exchange to stop the clock in 36.84 seconds, a new world record. Carter got a great start and Frater ran a brilliant backstretch before handing off to Blake who ran a superb curve to hold off American Tyson Gay. Bolt got the baton with just a step on American Ryan Bailey and pulled away to secure the gold medal for the Jamaican. The American team was second in a new national record time of 37.04 seconds that equal the previous world record, with the Trinidad and Tobago team finishing in third in 38.12 seconds. Bolt who described himself as a legend, has completed a very successful London 2012 campaign in which he has earned three gold medals (100m- 9.63; 200m – 19.32; 4x1 relay – 36.84) and has continue to show his dominance in the sprints.  In post race interview  Bolt said that he hopes to defend his 100m and 200m titles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Jamaica finished 3^rd in the medal standing with 12 medals (gold-4, silver-4, bronze-4)   Gold: Usain Bolt 100m (9.63) Usain Bolt 200m (19.32) Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce 100m (10.75) 4x100m relay men (36.84)   Silver: Yohan Blake 100m (9.75) Yohan Blake 200m (19.44) Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce 200m (22.09) 4x100m relay women (41.41)   Bronze: Veronica Campbell-Brown 100m (10.81) Hansle Parchment 110m hurdles (13.12) Warren Weir 200m (19.84) 4x400m relay women (3:20.95)