Jamaican sprint icon Usain Bolt expressed his disappointment with a succinct two-word message, “Jah Jah,” on X after Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team, featuring Kishane Thompson, Yohan Blake, Julian Forte, and Rohan Watson, suffered a shocking disqualification at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, on…

Jamaican sprint icon Usain Bolt expressed his disappointment with a succinct two-word message, “Jah Jah,” on X after Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team, featuring Kishane Thompson, Yohan Blake, Julian Forte, and Rohan Watson, suffered a shocking disqualification at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, on…

 

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt expressed his dismay in a brief but powerful message following the disqualification of Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m relay team at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. The eight-time Olympic gold medalist took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, posting just two words: “Jah Jah.”

 

The phrase, a common Jamaican expression often used to invoke God or express sorrow, disappointment, or shock, captured the sentiment of fans across the island and the global track and field community. The disqualification came as a shock to many, given Jamaica’s long-standing dominance in sprinting events, especially the 4x100m relay—a race that has, for years, showcased the nation’s unrivaled speed and depth.

 

The team, composed of Kishane Thompson, Yohan Blake, Julian Forte, and Rohan Watson, initially crossed the finish line in a strong position, sparking hope of a podium finish or qualification for the 2025 World Championships. However, celebrations quickly turned to confusion and despair when officials announced that the team had been disqualified due to a baton exchange violation.

 

According to reports from World Athletics, the error occurred during the second baton exchange, where the outgoing runner allegedly received the baton outside the designated exchange zone. The infraction, though slight and difficult to detect in real time, was confirmed upon video review by race officials.

 

For Yohan Blake, one of Jamaica’s most seasoned sprinters and a former world champion, the result was a particularly hard pill to swallow. Blake, who has been a part of many medal-winning Jamaican relay squads, looked visibly distraught after the announcement, as did his teammates. This relay was seen as an opportunity for the newer generation, including promising sprinters like Thompson and Watson, to carry the baton—both literally and figuratively—from the greats such as Bolt and Blake.

 

Bolt’s reaction, though brief, resonated deeply. As the most iconic figure in the history of Jamaican athletics and one of the greatest sprinters of all time, his public disappointment underscored the magnitude of the moment. Fans quickly flooded the comment section with messages of support, frustration, and shared disappointment.

 

“Jah Jah,” some echoed, while others pointed to the need for more consistent baton practice and team chemistry in high-stakes meets. The sentiment was unanimous: Jamaica’s sprint program, while still rich in talent, must focus on execution and precision if it is to reclaim its dominance on the world stage.

 

The disqualification also reignites discussions around the challenges faced by national teams in assembling cohesive relay squads, particularly when individual athletes often train under different coaches and systems around the world. Despite the setback, many remain hopeful that this will serve as a wake-up call for greater coordination and investment in relay preparation.

 

As the dust settles in Guangzhou, one thing is clear—Usain Bolt’s voice, though just two words long, still carries weight. For Jamaica, “Jah Jah” isn’t just an expression of grief—it’s a call to regroup, refocus, and return stronger.