Bell doubtful as Jamaica target medal

MOSCOW, Russia:

Javere BelL believes that Jamaica stands a good chance of at least repeating its bronze medal in the 4x400 metres from the last IAAF World Championships in Athletics, in Daegu, South Korea, but there is strong doubt about whether or not the national 400m champion will be able to line up in the final today.

Bell ran the second leg in yesterday's heat as the Jamaicans posted a winning time of 3:00.41, which stood as the fastest time this year in the event for a few minutes before the USA bettered that in the following heat with a time of 2:59.85.

However, the 400m semi-finalist is said to be carrying an unspecified injury concern and is doubtful for today's final, which will run off at 12:30 p.m. (Jamaica time).

Technical leader for Jamaica's team here, Maurice Wilson told The Gleaner late last night that they were awaiting a medical report on the athlete and that a decision will be taken first thing this morning.

Bell himself posted on his Facebook account: "I had to get hurt now, not running tomorrow, shake my head."

If he is unable to take his spot on the team, Bell is expected to be replaced by 400m hurdler Leford Green, who was added to the 4x400m relay squad at the start of training camp and who helped Jamaica to that bronze medal in Daegu.

Edino Steele, who along with Ruheen McDonald and Javon Francis completed the quartet for the heats, is also looking forward to the final and believes the team has enough to add to Jamaica's eight World Championships medal (5 silver, 3 bronze) in this event.

"This is a good team; we are just going to go out there and try our best," said Steele. "We just have to put the best team out there and attack. I hope we can come together and pull out something amazing."