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The U.S. led midway through the second lap in a
text book performance, overcoming a fast field in the opening
heat in which four national records were broken on top of the
world mark.
"I've gotten quite a few practices in over the last few days and
we've just gotten better," said Shamier Little, who ran the
second leg for the Americans. "We've got great chemistry."
The French team were willed across the finish by a partisan home
crowd, as they held off Belgium (3:10.74) and Jamaica (3:11.06)
to finish second in 3:10.60 in the rarely contested event.
The crowd had to be shushed as they chanted for the French team
on the first day of the athletics programme at the Stade de
France and they broke into a loud roar as France took a slender
lead.
Little pulled ahead for the U.S., however, and Bryce Deadmon
extended the lead.
The Americans were eager to avoid the drama of three years ago,
when they were disqualified from the Olympic final – and later
reinstated due to an official's error – before eventually
claiming bronze.
Kaylyn Brown was all business through the final lap, however,
crossing the finish line on her own and the Paris crowd willed
Amandine Brossier over the line in a thrilling finish down the
final straight.
In the second heat, Britain advanced in a national record time
of 3:10.61 and the Netherlands also qualified.
The Dutch will be hungry for redemption after their performance
at the World Championships last year, where Femke Bol nearly
brought home the gold but fell five metres from the line,
hitting her head and dropping the baton.
The 4x400 mixed relay final is set for Saturday.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery, editing by Ed Osmond) [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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