Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu, Steven Gardiner, and Andretti Bain ran a season’s best of 3 min 05.37sec for third in their heat, but ninth overall as they missed the final spot to get into the final. (Photo: Demetrius Francis / TheBahamasWeekly.com)

Nassau, Bahamas - The IAAF / BTC World Relays opened earlier in the day at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau with junior Bahamian athletes competing, and by 7:30pm the ceremonies and senior competition began.

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, and Minister of Sports, Danny Johnson were in attendance along with officials from the IAAF who gave opening remarks and greetings.

There were several heats prior to final events which is the usual format.

The Jamaican women were the highlight of the evening setting a new record of 1:29.04 in the 4 x 100, taking gold coinciding with Jamaican star sprinter Elaine Thompson coming out of retirement for the relays.

The U.S. men took gold in the 4 x 100 after both Canada and Britain had disappointments on baton exchanges opening the door for China and Barbados to both medal. USA's time was 38.43, Barbados was 39.18, and Australia 39.22.

In the Women's 4 x 800m, Team USA won with 8:16.36, Belarus took silver with 8:20.07, and Australia the bronze with 8:21.08.

Photos seen here were taken by Demetrius Francis for TheBahamasWeekly.com. More photos can be seen in our Facebook album HERE.

Elaine Thompson of Jamaica speaks at an IAAF press conference (Photo: Demetrius Francis / TheBahamasWeekly.com)

Prior to the start of the senior competition, juniors from the Islands of the Bahamas competed (Photo: Demetrius Francis / TheBahamasWeekly.com)

Team Botswana (Photo: Demetrius Francis / TheBahamasWeekly.com)

IAAF Men's Action (Photo: Demetrius Francis / TheBahamasWeekly.com)

Team USA Men's 4x100m A finals in 38.43 with Barbados (39.18) for silver and China bronze (39.22). AUS (39.73) and FRA (39.83) were fourth and fifth. CAN, GBR and NED did not finish. (Photo: Demetrius Francis / TheBahamasWeekly.com)

USA, China and Barbados men's 4 x 100 (Photo: Demetrius Francis / TheBahamasWeekly.com)