Poland wins inaugural Olympic 4x400m mixed relay gold in exhilarating race
The Polish quartet of Karol Zalewski, Natalia Kaczmarek, Justyna Swiety-Ersetic and Kajetan Duszynski raced to victory to win the first gold medal in the event at the Olympic Games.
Athletics
The inaugural 4x400m mixed relay at the Olympic Games came to an exhilarating climax, with Poland claiming the title with a winning time of three minutes and 9.87 seconds (3:09.87). The Poles were followed by the Dominican Republic in second place (3:10.21) with the United States bagging the bronze in 3:10.22.
Running the anchor leg, Kajetan Duszynski crossed in first place to claim Poland's second medal in a 4x400m relay at the Olympic Games, adding to silver in the men's 4x400m relay back in 1976.
Coming out of the final turn, the race was still too close to call, with Poland, the Dominican Republic, the United States and the Netherlands all biting at each other's heals. Duszynski managed to pull ahead, leaving the other three to battle it out for the silver and bronze medals.
"I can't believe it. It is a dream since childhood. It has come true. It's such a great feeling,” said Duszynski.