The Clayton sisters, Tia Clayton and Tina Clayton, described their world record run in the mixed 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Relays 2026 as a “perfect race”.
The twins formed the female half of the Jamaican quartet, alongside Ackeem Blake and Kadrian Goldson, that stormed to a 39.99-second finish in Heat 3 on Saturday (2 May) in Botswana, breaking the previous record set by Canada just minutes earlier in Heat 1.
Competing in the new man–woman–man–woman order in the event that debuted in Guangzhou last year, Blake handed over to Tina Clayton, who passed to Goldson before Tia Clayton powered away on the anchor leg.
The performance made Jamaica the first team to break the 40-second barrier in the event.
“The world record wasn’t in our minds. We just came out here to execute, get the baton around safely, and qualify for the final,” Tina said post-race.
“But to come away with the world record, we’re very grateful. The time shows that it was almost a perfect race.”
The world 100m silver medallist, Tia, agreed with her sister. “Yeah, it was a perfect race for us. I don’t think we had any mistakes.”
Jamaica won silver at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou when the event made its debut, and will hope to elevate that to gold when they compete in the final on Sunday (3 May).