Negotiations are on in earnest with countries in a similar situation to Jamaica in their quest to qualify a 4×400 meters team at the Paris Olympics.

That’s the word coming out of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), after the country missed out on automatic qualification for the event at the recently held World Relays Championships in the Bahamas.

This despite having teams qualified for the female equivalent along with the 4×100 meters for both men and women.

Finding at least two other countries to compete at an internationally recognised meet remains a challenge, but, the JAAA has confirmed that they will be sending a team to the New Life Invitational in the Bahamas on June 12 to improve the time and break into the top 16.

First Vice President of the JAAA Ian Forbes told Irie Fm sports that all is not lost as they are seeking to provide the best opportunities for a shot at qualification.

At the present moment, Jamaica’s 2 minutes, 59.34 from the World Championships in Budapest last year sees them sitting one place outside of the top 16 countries.

Zambia is currently in the final qualifying spot, with 2 minutes 59.12 seconds, while France is the other qualifier based on time with 2 minutes 58.45.

The country has until June 30 to qualify its men’s 4X400m team for the games in Paris.

Forbes added that Jamaica’s status in world athletics is the driving factor in having its men’s 4×400 meters team at the Paris Games.