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ATHLETICS – Canada won the men’s Olympic 4x100m relay for the second time yesterday after hot favourites the United States messed up a changeover yet again and were disqualified.
Andre de Grasse ran a superb last leg to bring the Tokyo silver medallists home in 37.50 seconds for a second gold in the event following their 1996 success.
Akani Simbine, the nearly man of the individual 100 metres, also ran a terrific last leg to get South Africa silver in an African record 37.57, as did Zharnel Hughes to earn Britain bronze in 37.61.
Canada, running in the outside lane, were led off well by Aaron Brown. Jerome Blake and Brendon Rodney kept them in contention with slick changeovers regularly honed under respected coach Glenroy Gilbert who was a member of the victorious 1996 squad.
However, once all the last leg runners had the baton in hand, it was Japan leading from Italy, who had used Tokyo 100m champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs on the second leg.
Christian Coleman gave the US a great start but ended up virtually colliding with Kenny Bednarek, the 200m silver medallist, at the first handover.
Meanwhile, the US raced to the gold medal in the women’s 4x100 metres relay, capturing their 12th title in the event thanks to three smooth handovers as Britain made a mess of their final baton exchange.
The US team of Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Paris Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson clocked 41.78 seconds after getting the baton around the track with no major mishaps.
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