#WorldIndoor2024 | Anderson collapses after Jamaica make 4x400 final

Defending champions Jamaica comfortably qualified for this afternoon’s women’s 4x400m relay final (3:30 p.m. Jamaican time) but the success of Junelle Bromfield, Andrenette Knight, Charokee Young and Leah Anderson at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland was temporarily overshadowed by a worrying incident as the team left the track.

After tenaciously chasing down Great Britain’s last leg runner, Jesse Knight, New York-based Anderson, in her first major championships, startlingly collapsed as the team walked through the media mixed zone.

Medics were called and attended to the 24-year-old athlete, whose breathing and pulse rate were deemed erratic, and fellow competitors helped by raising her legs while she lay prostrate but always conscious.

Eventually, after over ten minutes she was helped to her feet and walked off unaided if still slightly disorientated.

She remained focused enough to comment on a passerby’s complimentary observation that she ran a gutsy leg and almost caught Knight. Looking up, she commented “but she found a second wind!”.

The team, which is now likely to change before the final, finished in 3 minutes, 27.35 seconds as opposed to the hosts’ national record 3:28.40, set without individual 400m finalist Laviai Nielsen.

The Netherlands, holding back World number two Lieke Klava, won the opening heat in 3:27.70.

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