USA TAKE GOLD AS USUAL
CHRISTINE OHURUOGU ANCHORS GB TO FIRST MEDALS FOR 32 YEARS
4X400M RELAY
AS EXPECTED, USA continued their dominance but were given a good battle by the Jamaicans as Britain in third won their first medal since 1992.
It was the USA’s sixth successive victory.
Courtney Okolo got them off to a flying start with a 50.3 leg and only Jamaica were in contact, thanks to Stephenie McPherson’s 50.6.
Natasha Hastings’ 49.2, which was the quickest of the race, stretched the margin to nearly eight metres over Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby, who ran 49.6.
The gap was cut in half on leg three as Phyllis Francis’ 49.82 saw her hunted down by Shericka Jackson’s 49.47.
With the individual silver medallist to go on the last lap there was little doubt of the final outcome and Allyson Felix won her sixth Olympic gold and ninth medal. Her 49.66 anchor ensured Jamaica were a second back as Novlene Williams-Mills was not at her best with a 50.52 clocking.