Jamaica defeated a star-studded American team in the final of the Women’s 4x400m relay to make it 3 victories out of 3 relays run so far.
The US team was lauded before the race as the favorite and one of the best 4x400m women’s quartet ever assembled. Sanya Richards-Ross (Olympic Champion) ran the lead off leg, followed by Natasha Hastings, then Allyson Felix (400m gold medallist) and anchored by Francine McCorory.
They were matched by Jamaica’s 4 starters in the 400m final. Christine Day the starter, followed by Shericka Jackson (400m bronze medallist), Stephenie Ann Morrison and Novlene Williams-Mills on the final leg.
From left: Novlene Williams-Mills, Stephenie Ann Morrison, Shericka Jackson and Christine Day
Christine Day handed over first, and a strong 2nd leg by Jackson stretched Jamaica’s lead to about 10 metres. Allyson Felix ran a brilliant 3rd leg to cut the Jamaicans’ lead and hand over first by a couple metres.
From left: Christine Day, Shericka Jackson, Stephenie Ann Morrison and Novlene Williams-Mills
It was left to the final leg which saw the experienced Novlene Williams-Mills against Francine McCorory. The American kept the lead until the last 50 metres when she showed signs of tiring and a strong Williams-Mills passed her for the gold. Novlene Williams-Mills, who did her last operation to tame her breast cancer on January 18, 2013, pulled away near the end to win comfortably.
Jamaica for the win! 3:19.13, Williams-Mills over McCorory in the last 100m. “Jamaica, BOOM!” chant the fans in the stands. beijing2015
— IAAF (@iaaforg) August 30, 2015
The Jamaican women have beaten the Americans in the Women’s 4x400m for their first title since 2001. Jamaica now has 7 gold medals, the same as leaders Kenya.
