Athletics: USA, Botswana excel in 4x400m relays
Wow – the relay competitions in the athletics continue to impress!
It’s only the first round of the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay, but you wouldn’t think it considering the noise inside the Stade de France for the athletes as they thunder around the lavender-coloured track.
First up are the women’s heats, and the USA – who have won this event at seven consecutive Games – are miles ahead of the field, crossing the line in a season-best time of 3:21.44. Great Britain, their closest competitors, are a full three seconds behind them.
In addition to those two teams, France, Jamaica, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Canada have all qualified for Saturday’s final.
It’s a bit tighter on the men’s side, but Botswana – bronze medallists at Tokyo 2020 – clearly have more in the tank as they finish first in their heat (and overall) with a top time of 2:57.76. They’ll be joined by Great Britain, the USA, Japan, France, Belgium, Zambia, Italy, and South Africa (South Africa were advanced after one of their athletes was impeded by a Nigerian runner following a changeover; Nigeria were disqualified).
