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PARIS: The United States dominated the women’s 4x400m relay preliminaries on Friday, with France also clinching a spot in the final as Amandine Brosier beat Belgium’s Helena Ponette on the home straight.
The United States looked set to win its eighth straight title after having won every women’s 4x400m relay since 1996. The team won in 3 minutes 21.44 seconds, more than three seconds faster than Britain and the fastest time of the morning.
Jamaica also put in a strong performance, winning the heat in 3:24.92 thanks to a strong final lap from Stephanie Ann McPherson, beating out the Netherlands and Ireland.
Shamier Little took the lead for the United States with a fast second lap of 49.22 seconds, followed by Aaliyah Butler and Kaylyn Brown, leaving no room for challengers from Britain and Belgium.
On the final lap, Britain’s Lina Nielsen was hot on Brown’s trail, with Belgium’s Helena Ponette close behind, but Brosier passed Ponette from the inside at the last minute to take third place and automatically qualify.
“On the final straight I felt strong and I could feel the crowd, I knew France were closing in and I couldn’t let them,” said Nelson after securing his team’s place in the final. Britain finished second in the morning in 3:24.72.
Belgium still advances because after the top three in each heat are culled, the next fastest two will qualify for the final on Saturday at 9:14 pm local time (1914 GMT).
Belgium’s time was the fifth fastest in the morning.
In the second round, the Irish team led on the first lap, but Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands made a strong run on the second lap to pass Phil Healy.
McPherson extended his lead when Jamaican Charokee Young crossed the finish line on the third lap, while Dutchman Lisanne de Witte and Irishman Sharlene Mawdsley finished almost simultaneously, taking second and third place respectively.
The Netherlands won the mixed 4x400m relay gold medal last week and will challenge the United States for the title.
Canada also booked a spot in the final.
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