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The U.S. team of Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha
Terry, Paris Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas and Sha'Carri
Richardson clocked 41.78 seconds after getting the baton around
the track with no major mishaps.
Britain were not so lucky.
Excellent legs by Dina Asher-Smith, Imani Lansiquot and Amy Hunt
had Britain leading the U.S., but Hunt struggled to get the
baton into Daryll Neita's hand in pouring rain at Stade de
France. Neita lost all her momentum, leaving Richardson with
nothing but open track to the finish line.
Richardson let out a roar she crossed the finish line and again
when the scoreboard, which briefly had Britain on top, corrected
the finishing order.
"Realizing that when we won, the USA ladies, it was a phenomenal
feeling for all of us," Richardson told reporters.
"I just remember trusting my third leg, trusting Gabby, and
knowing that she's going to put this thing in my hand no matter
what, and to leave my best on the track."
Added Thomas: "Obviously, passing the baton to Sha'Carri is very
special, she is so fast. I felt very proud and very grateful. We
got the gold."
Neita still brought Britain home in 41.85 for silver and Germany
claimed bronze in 41.97.
"I was not going to let these ladies down," said Neita, who
missed a medal in the 100m by four hundredths of a second to
finish fourth.
"As soon as I got (the baton), I was like, 'Go, go, go'. And to
be leaving with an Olympic silver medal and on the podium,
representing Great Britain, we are so proud."
Silver was particularly sweet for Asher-Smith and Neita, who
both had agonizing near misses earlier in the Games. Asher-Smith
was fourth in the 200m and Neita fell short of 100m bronze by
four hundredths of a second.
The U.S. have dominated the sprint relay but had to settle for
silver behind their great rivals Jamaica at the Tokyo Games.
Jamaica were missing three of their leading names in Paris,
however, with Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and
Shericka Jackson all injured.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing, editing by Ed Osmond) [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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