The American women bested the competition in the 4×100-meter relay to win gold, carrying on Team USA’s dominant showing at the Paris Olympics.
Sha’carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, Twanisha Terry, Melissa Jefferson covered the lap around the Stade de France track in 41.78 seconds, a season-best time. The foursome got lucky, making up for lost ground after a poor baton handoff from Thomas to anchor leg Richardson.
Great Britain, came in second, and Germany third.
Jamaica’s team, who not so long ago stood as the U.S. team’s stiffest competition, came in sixth. Three of their sprint superstars either missed or dropped out of the Paris Games due to injury.
The U.S. men fumble the handoff
In the men’s race, the U.S. was disqualified after botching their first handoff, when Christian Coleman passed to Kenny Bednarek.
A day ago, the team learned that it would have to run without its best asset, newly-minted 100-meter champion Noah Lyles. After finishing with bronze in his best event, the 200-meter sprint on Thursday, Lyles revealed that he had COVID-19.
Canada won gold, South Africa took silver and Great Britain won bronze.
The U.S. male teams are notorious for fumbling relay handoffs.
