US win relay as Britain botch final handover

Paris, August 9

The United States raced to the gold medal in the Olympics women’s 4x100m relay, capturing their 12th title in the event thanks to three smooth handovers as Britain messed up their final baton exchange.

The US team of Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Paris Olympics 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.

Leading the US through three legs, Amy 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. Neita still brought Britain home in 41.85 for silver and Germany claimed bronze in 41.97.

The US 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.

The American squad was stacked with talent, with Richardson winning silver in the Paris 100m, Jefferson bronze and Terry finishing fifth in the final. Richardson let out a roar when she crossed the finish line. —Reuters