The United States continued theirdominance in Olympic track and field on Saturday by winning their eighth consecutive Olympic gold in the women’s 4x400m relay. This victory also marked the USA’s 14th track and field gold medal of the Paris Games.
The formidable U.S. team, which featured some of the biggest names in athletics, delivered an outstanding performance. The quartet included two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and 200m gold medallist Gabby Thomas, who, along with their teammates, powered to victory with a time of 3 minutes 15.27 seconds.
The Netherlands secured the silver medal with a time of 3:19.50, while Great Britain claimed the bronze in 3:19.72.
Shamier Little, who led off for the U.S., gave her team an explosive start, setting the tone for the race. She then passed the baton to McLaughlin-Levrone for the second leg. McLaughlin-Levrone, known for her incredible speed and endurance, ran a blistering 47.71-second leg, which gave the defending champions a commanding lead at the halfway mark.
Gabby Thomas took over for the third leg and further extended the U.S. lead. By the time Alexis Holmes received the baton for the final leg, the team was well on its way to victory. Holmes crossed the finish line just shy of breaking one of the longest-standing records in athletics — the 3:15.17 set by the former Soviet Union in 1988.
In the race for second place, the Netherlands’ Femke Bol delivered a spectacular final leg, clocking 48.62 seconds to secure the silver for her team. This late surge was enough to edge out Great Britain, who settled for bronze.
The U.S. victory in the 4x400m relay further solidified their legacy in this event, continuing a streak of Olympic dominance that dates back to the 1996 Atlanta Games.
