Maswanganyi was a late replacement in the team with Gift Leotlela being unable to compete due to a hamstring injury.

The world champions were unable to finish the relay after Shaun Maswanganyi dropped the baton during the exchange with Clarence Munyai.

Maswanganyi said that he takes accountability.

“The way I practised exchanges with Clarence was at the same kind of exchange mark as with Gift.

“Unfortunately, they’re two different athletes, two different runners. I came out of the handover zone the same way that I usually do with Gift, who is slightly different to Clarence.

“I guess when it was time for me to take my hand out he was already on me. So, the problem was the exchange.

“It was in the exchange zone between me and me pushing out and me getting the stick.

“There should have been more practice, but coming into this race there had been a lot of changes that had to be made because of injuries and there were a lot of complications.

“We still tried to do what we could and it was just unfortunate.

Jamaica won the heat in 37.82 seconds, with Great Britain in second and Japan in third.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport