6-member team selected for last ditch Olympic mile relay bid

Jevaughn Powell, the nation's fastest man over 400 metres so far this year, is among 6 athletes selected by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Jamaica's 4x400 metres squad for the New Life Invitational in the Bahamas this coming Sunday, June 16.

Powell who clocked 44.54 seconds for third at the NCAA  Division 1 Outdoor Championships last Friday, is joined by fellow collegiate athletes Kimar Farquharson, Tarees Rhoden, Raheem Hayles and Shevioe Reid.

400m flat and 400 metre hurdles specialist Malik James-King completes the squad.

Mark Elliott has been named head coach with Lamar Richards as the other coach. Brian Smith has been named team manager and Oral Thompson, massage therapist.

The JAAA is seeking to have the nation's team qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris, having missed out on an automatic spot at the World Relays last month.

Jamaica's 2 minutes, 59.34 seconds from the 2023 World Championships in Budapest sees them sitting in 17th position.

Only 16 teams will take part at the Olympics. Zambia currently occupies 16th place with 2 minutes 59.12. The deadline for qualification is June 30.