USA a class apart as they land eighth women’s 4x400m gold in a row

American line-up wins by over four seconds in a race where multiple records tumbled

The USA team has a habit of winning 4x400m women’s relay gold at the Olympics, and they made it eight in a row with a remarkable performance in Paris that saw victory secured with the second-fastest time ever.

The final event of the 2024 Olympics track programme saw the teams from second to fifth all breaking national records, but the American quartet of Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas and Alexis Holmes combining to clock a North American record of 3:15.27 and win by over four seconds from the Netherlands’ 3:19.50.

Not even the incredible finishing prowess of Femke Bol could claw back the huge lead the champions had established by the final changeover.

The world 400m hurdles champion did take her team from fourth to second, while Amber Anning did well to hold on to bronze medal position, the British team running 3:19.72. She rebuffed the challenge of Ireland, who finished just outside the medals with their national record of 3:19.90.

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