US Wins World Relays, Bahamas Finishes 10th

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The Golden Baton went to the United States team, which won the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2015 held May 2-3 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Pictured are members of Team USA with IAAF President Lamine Diack. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)

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.