byLarry EderThe women’s 4 x 400 meters was just a great race. Teams from Russia, Jamaica, Great Britain, Ukraine, Belarus, Czech Republic and Nigeria were all in the final. None gave any quarter. In the end, the USA team was just too good to beat, although Jamaica and Russia came the closest!
Here is how we saw it:
The first leg saw Sanya Richard-Ross blast a 49.2, the third fastest opening leg EVER. Jamaica and Russia were in hot pursuit. Sanya Richards-Ross told us later, ” I wanted to start the race right. I wanted to set the team up.” Boy, did she!
Richards-Ross handed off to Allyson Felix who started to break it open, running a swift 49.3, handing it off to Jessica Beard.
Jamaica and Russia were not letting up, but Jessica Beard just kept running hard, who handed off to Francena McCorory. Beard ran 49.9 on the third leg.
Francena McCorory ran her heat and lungs out, pushing past the 200 meters, with Jamaica and Russia edging just a bit closer.
It was obvious with Francena McCorory was getting tired, as she was tying up with fifty meters to go. Jamaica’s Shericka Williams was not letting up.
Who would get to her first, the finish line or the Jamaican team?
Francena McCorory held on, taking the US to gold in 3:18.09, the world leader. Jamaica took the silver with a fine time of 3:18.71, their national record! Russia took third with 3:19.36 seasonal best. In fourth, Great Britain ran 3:23.63, and in fifth, the Ukraine ran 3:23.86. In sixth, Belarus ran 3:25.64.
After the race, Allyson Felix noted: “I have run alot of races here. But something about running a relay kicks in the adrenals. It is nice to have a collection of medals. That is the plan to run the 4 x 100 tonight.”
It should be noted that all twelve of the medal winning relay teams voiced their interest in having the relay on the last night, which added excitement to the race.
