Team GB are forced to settle for silver in the 4×100 metre women’s relay at Olympics 2024
BRITAIN’S sprinters missed out on a relay gold for the first time in two decades after two far-from-clean baton exchanges.
Daryll Neita guided the British female quartet to second place behind the Americans in the 4×100 metres sprint final at the Stade de France.
Sha’Carri Richardson was the spearhead for the United States as they came home first in 41.78 seconds, by a margin of 0.07 seconds.
Yet the passovers involving Amy Hunt – who received the baton from Imani Lansiquot and then handed to Neita in lane eight– could have been much smoother.
A protest against the Brits for lane infringement was lodged but despite an anxious wait, it did not result in a disqualification.
The ladies were happy with the result and it marks an upgrade on bronzes at the past two Olympics.
Dina Asher-Smith, who ran the first leg, said: “We are all so proud. We have worked so hard for this.
“To be able to be in a position, not just to challenge for a medal, but also for gold, it’s phenomenal.
“This is a team effort. We have worked so hard as a women’s team relay squad since 2012.
“We have pushed so hard over the past ten years. To stand on the podium with everyone is a very beautiful moment.”
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Hunt, 22, said: “There was so much chaos going on. We made sure we got in it.
“We are so well drilled as a team. That is our biggest strength, we are skilled, we are smart ladies. I’m really proud of these ladies.”
After that moment, the British men took to the track and Zharnel Hughes returned despite having pulled out of the 200 metres event with hamstring tightness.
The Americans had a nightmare with their exchanges and were later disqualified for passing the baton outside the takeover zone.
Canada were Olympic champions in 37.50 seconds while South Africa were second in a time of 37.57 seconds.
Britain edged out Italy – gold medallists from Tokyo 2020 – with their mark of 37.61 seconds.
The squad of Jeremiah Azu, Louie Hinchliffe, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Zharnel Hughes and Richard Kilty, who ran in the heats, will be recognised with medals.
It is a special one given that three years ago Team GB’s silver was stripped off them when CJ Ujah failed a drugs test during the Games.
Sprinter Ujah, 30, served a 22-month suspension – which ended in June 2023 – after he tested positive for two prohibited drugs.