Bailey was the only man in the semi-finals to go below 45 seconds when he ran 44.95 to win his heat ahead of NCAA Championships bronze medallist Jevaughn Powell (45.00) and World Championship finalist Demish Gaye (45.18).
Raheem Hayles (45.55) and Anthony Cox (45.98) both made it through to the final from heat two.
Reigning World Champion Antonio Watson was also in this heat but pulled up with a calf injury about 120 metres into the race.
The first heat was won by Deandre Watkin in 45.19 ahead of Zandrion Barnes (45.34) and national record holder Rusheen McDonald (45.60).
Deandre Watkins, Sean Bailey, and Jevaughn Powell, who ran impressive times of 44.48, 44.65, and 44.79 respectively in the 400m finals on Friday night, were expected to secure the qualification. Additionally, Malik James King, who clocked a lifetime best of 47.42 in the 400m hurdles, was also anticipated to contribute to the effort. However, their last-minute withdrawals left the team scrambling for replacements.
“We were most disappointed with respect to these late withdrawals,” Forbes told Sportsmax.TV. “It is my personal feeling that if one of the top three had come, we would have made the qualifying mark. It is very distressing when we thought we had persons ready and rearing to run for their country. These late withdrawals hit us hard. It must be remembered that the top 16 were advanced to the semi-final to facilitate this based on the suggestion of one of the athletes, and we took it on board. So, it’s most disappointing.”
Forbes highlighted the extensive preparations made to ensure the athletes were in optimal condition for the relay. Meetings with the athletes, coaches, and agents prior to the start of the National Championships led to the top 16 runners being advanced to the semi-finals, with heats and semi-finals run on Thursday and the finals on Friday night. This schedule was designed to give the runners ample time to recuperate before the 4x400m relay, which was scheduled for 8:05 pm on Sunday. The athletes were provided with hotel rooms for adequate rest and transportation. Additionally, two companies had put up JMD$1 million as an incentive for the runners should they achieve the qualification time.
“And I am not saying if one had an issue, particularly a potential injury or a niggle, they should have competed. But I find it a little off-putting that at least three of our top athletes did not participate, and the withdrawals, some of them were so very late, minutes before the start. I find it most distressing,” Forbes added. “We did it in good faith. I think maybe we should have them sign a contract. We did it in good faith because they are our athletes, and we figured there would be some amount of commitment to the cause in terms of advancing the country to the top 16. It is not good.”
Forbes noted that no explanations had been provided by the athletes for their late withdrawals. “We need to have a pow-wow to look at what really transpired because the information from the coaches was very fast, things moved very quickly, so we haven’t gathered all the information. But it was most distressing that at the last minute, persons were pulling out.”
Despite the setback, Forbes commended the efforts of Reheem Hayles, Tarees Rhoden, Kimar Farquharson, and Zandrian Barnes, who stepped up to compete. “I must pause to commend the ones who stepped up and gave it their all. They really tried,” he said.
The team, Jamaica Gold, which should have included national champion Deandre Watkins, Sean Bailey, Jevaughn Powell, and 400m hurdles champion Malik-James King, fell short of the qualification mark, leaving fans and officials angered and disheartened.
In a turn of bad luck, Watkin did not start in Heat 1, marking a disappointing beginning for the Jamaican contingent.
St. Lucia's Michael Joseph put forth a commendable effort in Heat 2, finishing fourth with a time of 45.64 seconds. Despite his valiant performance, Joseph fell short of advancing to the next round.
Jamaica’s Sean Bailey, competing in Heat 4, did not finish the race, adding to the series of setbacks. Bailey's race ended abruptly, further contributing to the run of unfortunate circumstances faced by the group in this event.
In contrast, Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands showed her steel in the women's 200m repechage round, successfully advancing to the semifinals.
Competing in Heat 1, Hodge delivered a strong performance, finishing in second place with a time of 22.94 seconds. Her impressive run ranked her fourth overall among all competitors in the repechage round, securing her a spot in the semifinals and bringing hope and pride to BVI.
Canada’s Jacqueline Madogo had the fastest qualifying time of 22.58 seconds, setting a new personal best in the process.
As the competition progresses, Caribbean athletes like Hodge continue to inspire with their performances, despite the challenges faced by their counterparts in other events. The semifinals promise to be an exciting and competitive stage, where Hodge will look to further her success and potentially bring home a medal for the British Virgin Islands.
Richards led the Caribbean charge with an impressive time of 44.31, finishing second in Heat 2 behind 2022 World Champion Michael Norman of the USA, who clocked the fastest time of the preliminary round at 44.10. Richards' strong performance secures him a spot in the semi-finals and continues his quest for Olympic glory.
James, the 2012 Olympic champion, had a comfortable run in Heat 5, winning in 44.78. James finished ahead of Canada’s Christopher Morales Williams, who crossed the line in 44.96, ensuring his place in the next round.
Jamaica's Jevaughn Powell also made it through to the semi-finals, finishing third in Heat 6 with a time of 45.12. The heat was won by Great Britain’s Charles Dobson in 44.96, with Belgium’s Alexander Doom taking second in 45.01.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for all Caribbean competitors. Jamaica’s national champion Deandre Watkin and compatriot Sean Bailey will need to utilize the newly introduced repechage round for another chance to advance. Bailey ran a respectable 44.68 in Heat 2 but could only manage fifth place. Watkin, who initially looked strong, faded over the last 150m in the opening heat and finished seventh with a time of 45.97. This heat was won by Great Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith in 44.78.
Both Watkin and Bailey will hope for better performances in the repechage round set for Monday morning, giving them a final opportunity to make it to the semi-finals and keep their Olympic dreams alive.
The performances of Richards, James, and Powell highlight the strength and depth of Caribbean sprinting talent. As they move on to the semi-finals, they carry with them the hopes and expectations of their nations, aiming to make a significant impact on the Olympic stage.
Watkin, the 21-year-old who entered the meet with a personal best of 45.26 done last year before lowering it to 45.19 in the heats on Thursday, produced an excellent 44.48 to take the win.
Bailey, last year’s national champion, ran a season’s best 44.65 in second while Powell ‘s time in third was 44.79.
This will be the first trip to the Olympics for Watkin and Powell and the second for Bailey who competed in the mixed relay in Tokyo.
