Ricardo Makyn - Member of the 4x400 relay team (from left) Leford Green, Jermaine Gonzales, Allodin Fothergill and Riker Hylton pose with the flag after taking bronze in the event.

Daegu, South Korea:

Not much was expected from them, but Jamaica's 4x400m quartet of Allodin Fothergill, Jermaine Gonzales, Riker Hylton and Leford Green delivered what had been missing from Jamaica's IAAF World Championships return for the past few years - a mile relay medal.

The four led the country to a bronze medal finish, its first medal since 2005. The Jamaicans ended in 3:00.10 behind the winners the United States, 2:59.31 and South Africa, 2:59.87.

slim advantage

At one point, it actually appeared that the Jamaicans would have been able to win the gold medal, but it was always going to be difficult for Green to hold on to a slim advantage with athletes of the caliber of the United States' LaShawn Merrit and South Africa's LJ Van Zyl breathing down his neck.

Nonetheless, it was a major accomplishment for a team that only had one athlete with a 400m 'A' qualifying time.

"I'm extremely happy," said Gonzales. "A lot of people in Jamaica have been doubting the quarter-milers for the past couple of years, and so just to get the bronze here with such young guys on the team shows that there is a future in the event in Jamaica."

"We are extremely happy, we all gave our best, I think everybody gave 100 per cent today. I tried my best to give us a lead because I knew that the anchor-leg persons on the other teams were very strong, but unfortunately the lead was not big enough, but it's an excellent job from everyone and this is a stepping stone for London 2012," Gonzales continued.

Fothergill, who ran the first leg, was also happy with his contribution and pointed to the confidence shown in him by his teammates.

teammates believed

"I was told to go out and give all I can, my teammates believed in me so I give thanks to be a part of this team," said Fothergill.

Green was also thankful, and says he knew it would have been difficult for him, despite getting the baton with a lead on the last leg

"I understood the job I had and knew the guys I was going up against, my job was simple and that was to keep us in the medals," said Green.

"I know I was in front and I'm not good running from the front, but this means a lot to us going into the Olympic year, it's going to be better," Green noted.

Hylton, who was impressive on the third leg also chipped in:

"I feel really good, I'm happy about the team's performance here. I went out there, gave it my best and I'm happy we were able to get the bronze," said Hylton, who along with his teammates were applauded on their arrival at the Athletes' Village late last night.