BUDAPEST, Hungary – Jamaica took silver in the 4x100 relay as the women's team failed to reel in the Americans in a tantalizing final leg, as United States clinched gold in the women’s sprint relay in championship record time on Saturday.
Sha’Carri Richardson celebrates after beating Shericka Jackson on the final leg of the women’s sprint relay final.On the penultimate day of the World Athletics Championship, Gabrielle Thomas reached Richardson before Shashalee Forbes handed over to Jackson and the newly crowned 100 meters champion made that advantage count, holding off her rival to cross the time in a splendid 41.03.
Jamaica clocked a season-best 41.21 while Great Britain rounded out the podium with bronze in 41.97, also a season-best time.
Tamari Davis ensured the United States’ dominance on the first leg before Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s second leg put Jamaica in contention.
Forbes and Thomas then battled on the third leg, the latter inching ahead marginally to secure the US a vital lead, heading into the final stage.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s team of Oblique Seville, Ackeem Blake, Ryiem Forde and Rohan Watson, mustered bronze in the men’s equivalent as the United States swept the marquee events.
Their team of Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Brandon Carnes and Noah Lyles, returned a world-leading time of 37.38 seconds while Jamaica were timed at 37.76, the Italians sneaking in for silver in season-best 37.62.
“I feel good [about the medal]. It means a lot to me and my family, coach, the whole of Jamaica, my teammates,” Forde said afterwards.
“I think we did a tremendous job so I’m really happy right now [with a] bronze medal.”
He added: We’re happy and I know Jamaica is happy and the coaches are happy and most people who are in support of Jamaica are happy right now, so I feel really good about that.”
Sunday’s final day will be headlined by the finals of the distance relays.
