Sha'Carri Richardson and Gabrielle Thomas steer USA into 4x100m relay final - Jamaica also advance
Sha'Carri Richardson produced a stunning anchor leg to show why the United States are favourites for the women’s 4x100m relay gold at Paris 2024 with a leading time of 41.94 in the heats.
The American quartet featured both 100m silver medallist Richardson and the newly crowned 200m Olympic champion Gabrielle Thomas, and they were joined by Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry in the first heat on Thursday (8 August) at the Stade de France.
Despite a shaky second exchange, Thomas then navigated the last bend before handing the baton to Richardson, who overtook Rebekka Haase on the straight to finish first ahead of Germany (42.15) and Switzerland (42.38), who also advanced to Friday’s final at the Stade de France.
In the second heat, Great Britain – who posted the world-leading time this year of 41.55 at the London Diamond League in July – placed first with a 42.03 ahead of hosts France (42.13) and Jamaica (42.35), who both qualified as well.
The two fastest teams outside of the top three also progressed to the final, with Canada (42.50) and the Netherlands (42.64) going through from the second heat.
Reigning Olympic champions Jamaica, who were without Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, were able to post a season’s best.
Germany and Switzerland also enjoyed season’s bests, while Canada’s time was a national record.
The women’s 4x100m relay final takes place at 19:30 local time, 15 minutes before the men’s 4x100m relay final is scheduled to start on a bumper day of athletics.