EUGENE, Ore. (Reuters) — Jamaica fielded the three medalists from the women’s 100 meters in Saturday’s World Championships sprint relay but that was still not enough to prevent a super-slick U.S. quartet taking gold to raise the biggest cheer of the week at Hayward Field.
Jamaica looked formidable after bringing in their “big three” — Shericka Jackson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah— with lead runner Kemba Nelson the only survivor from their semi-final team.
The United States introduced Abby Steiner to join Melissa Jefferson, Jenna Prandini and Twanisha Terry, and after a superb series Terryran a terrific anchor leg to bring them home in 41.14 seconds — the fifth-fastest in history.
Jamaica were second in 41.18 — the sixth-best ever — after losing fractions on a couple of stretched changeovers.
Britain were in the medal hunt until 200m bronze medalist Dina Asher-Smith pulled up injured at the end of her third leg, allowing Germany to storm through for a surprise bronze in 42.03.
Jamaica and the United States had each won four of the previous eight world titles and between them eight of the last 10 Olympic golds.
Saturday’s head-to-head was as mouth-watering as any of those, with the Americans hoping their well-honed teamwork could make the difference against a squad that they hoped might just be a meter of pace down after their grueling individual campaigns.
It proved to be the case as Jamaica twice had to slow a touch to collect the baton, as the Americans made no mistakes.
Prandini ran a brilliant third leg and Jamaican anchor Jackson, two days after her 200m gold, could make no impression on Terry as the United States took their Eugene gold tally to 10.
It was a stunning consolation for Steiner, who came into the championship as a medal favorite in the 200m but finished fifth in the final.
“This is the most fun race of my life,” she said. “I never scream that loud during a race. Hayward magic is a real thing.”
Jefferson said: “It was not expected of us today and I am glad we pulled it through. We have a lot of confidence and I knew we would show the world what we are capable of.”
Terry said the victory lap was amazing.
“To be able to feel the energy form the crowd, to shake hands, sign autographs. It’s just an amazing feeling,” she added. “The race was electrifying. The stadium went crazy. We just brought it home.”
Nigeria set an African record of 42.22 to come fourth while Spain posted a national record 42.58 in fifth having also set a new mark in the semis.
Melissa Jefferson of the U.S. with team mates Abby Steine, Jenna Prandini and Twanisha Terry celebrate after winning the women’s 4×100 meters relay final in the World Athletics Championships at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, July 23, 2022.
Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Kemba Nelson and Shericka Jackson celebrate after finishing the women’s 4×100 meters relay final in second place in the World Athletics Championships at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, July 23, 2022.
