SAINT-DENIS, France — Jamaica's 4x100-meter relay team failed to make the finals of its event Thursday in yet another mystifying failure by the world's sprinting powerhouse.
The foursome of Ackeem Blake, Jelani Walker, Jehlani Gordon and Kishane Thompson covered ground in 38.45 seconds and missed the final field by 0.06 seconds.
Sticks did not pass smoothly between Walker to Gordon and then from Gordon to Thompson. Thompson, the anchor, extended his left hand and grasped, at least twice, only to come up with air. By the time he took the baton, it was too late.
China, France and Canada finished ahead of Jamaica in the heat and will be in the finals, joining the U.S., Great Britain, South Africa, Japan and Italy.
That race is set for 7:47 p.m. local time Friday, 1:47 p.m. ET. Jamaica holds the world and Olympic record in the event, set in London in 2012.
Thompson captured silver in the 100 meters this week. But that was the second consecutive Olympic Games without gold for Jamaica, an island that had grown accustomed to top podium positions after Usain Bolt's 100-meter three-peat of 2008-16.
In the women's 100 meters, Julien Alfred of St. Lucia shocked with her win as Jamaica's Tia Clayton came in seventh. The race broke a four-Olympic winning streak by Jamaica in the event.
Gabby Thomas struck gold for America in the 200 meters, which Jamaica had won in four of the five cycles before Paris.
When Bryan Level fell short of making the men's 200-meter field, set for 8:30 p.m. Thursday local time, it was the first time in 20 years a Jamaican man hadn't run in that event's final.
The results have stunned Jamaica — which was already reeling from the unexpected withdrawals of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson.
There's still hope for Jamaica to salvage some precious metals Thursday night as it sends three into the 110-meter hurdles.
Hansle Parchment, Rasheed Broadbell and Orlando Bennett expect to challenge the race favorite, American Grant Holloway, at 9:45 p.m./3:45 p.m.
