Jamaican sprint supremacy by walkover as US flop again

Jamaican sprint supremacy by walkover asBerlin  - Usain Bolt failed to get another world record but Jamaica cemented its world domination in the sprint with a crushing 5-1 victory over its United States rivals.

Twelve months after a 5-0 whitewash at the Olympics the Jamaicans were unstoppable again while the Americans were left to lick their wounds after another 4x100m relay meltdown.

The women's and men's teams went out in the heats just like in Beijing, leaving athletes and officials reeling.

USA Track and Field chief of sport performance Benita Fitzgerald said in a statement the latest relay disaster must be "a lesson for future championships" as "it does a disservice to the champions we crowned."

"Everyone involved in the relay, including athletes, coaches and administrators, were mindful of doing everything in our power to ensure the relay succeeded," said Fitzgerald.

But alternate Alexandria Anderson had trouble handing the baton to Muna Lee, and Lee then hobbled, sank to the ground clutching her left hamstring, possibly because she made an awkward movement to get the baton, and was stretchered off.

"It's unfortunate that we get here to the big one, the dance, and know we have a team that is capable of world-record pace, and then not even get a chance to try for gold, much less the world record," said runner Lauryn Williams.

On Friday, the men's relay was disqualified after winning its heat because Shawn Crawford and Darvis Patton completed the final handover outside the exchange zone.

The Jamaicans gratefully accepted the invitation as they got both relay golds effectively by walkover with the biggest rivals missing.

Victory was especially sweet for the women because they had dropped the baton in Beijing which denied a perfect 6-0 over the US.

"We wanted to make sure we were safe and that we finished," said 100m world and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser.

Looking at the US team, she added: "We miss them. We want the top eight to be there. We feel sad, these were girls we knew."

The same question was asked to the British men who took bronze behind Jamaica and trinidad and Tobago, as it had been British team officials who lodged the initial protest against the US although both had advanced from the heats.

"To be honest, it would have been nice to see them (the US) here. It is unfortunate they got disqualified," said Marlon Devonish.

The only letdown, if it really was one, was that Bolt didn't go 6-0 for big titles and world records - as the record was missed.

The star readily accepted the blame, saying "it is a little bit my fault" because "I am really tired" after nine races in eight days.

Bolt nonetheless leaves Berlin as a global athletics icon, the first man to get sprint trebles at worlds and Olympics, highlighted by world record runs of 9.58 and 21.19 seconds.

"I had great championships, got two records. I came here and did my best," said Bolt, adding that he was "not in my best shape" but rather for several rounds than speed.

"I didn't say I wasn't fast enough," he insisted. (dpa)