Champs 2024: KC Eliminated from Class Three 4x100m Relay Race

Kingston College (KC) has been stripped of its podium place from the Boys’ Class Three 4×100 metres relay at the 2024 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. The school had finished second in the race which took place at the National Stadium, however the decision was made to disqualify the team under rule 24.21 of the World Athletics handbook, which stipulates regulations regarding obstruction. As a result, the final standings were amended with release winners Calabar maintaining first place.

The disqualification of KC made room for other schools to shift upwards in the final standings. Wolmer’s Boys, who initially came third, were moved up to second place while St Elizabeth Technical High School, previously in fourth position, were awarded the bronze medal. The silver medal initially presented to KC was therefore not re-awarded, signifying the effects of the disqualification.

One incident to note was that the St George’s College team did not finish the race. This was a result of their anchor leg runner falling during the race due to contact with the Kingston College’s anchor leg runner. This incident presumably played a part in the disqualification, though it was not explicitly stated, adding further drama to the proceedings.

The winners, Calabar, recorded a time of 43.45 seconds for the race. Despite the disqualification in this event, overall championship leaders KC maintained a healthy 52-point lead over second-place Jamaica College having accumulated a total 304 points compared to Jamaica College’s 252. Calabar (184 points), St Jago High (110.50 points), and Excelsior High (103 points) rounded out the top five placings after completion of the 4x100m relays.

In other race results, Excelsior claimed victory in the Boys’ Class Three 4x100m relay, recording a time of 40.35 seconds to beat KC (40.96) and Calabar (41.75). Meanwhile, Jamaica College emerged as the winner of the Boys’ Class One 4x100m relay with a time of 40.01 seconds, with Calabar (40.10) and St Jago (40.39) finishing second and third respectively.