In the space of two days, the United State of America’s 4x100m female team had to count on their sprint mermaid – Sha’Carri Richardson to bail them from what could have been otherwise term as a shame at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Friday, August 09.
With a star-powered U.S. women’s relay team that included Gabby Thomas, Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, the US were the odds favourite to win but they nearly lost it due to baton mishap.
Thomas ran a good third leg but she was in third position when she handed the baton off to Richardson.
Richardson, however, ran a superb race down the home stretch, beaten the two women ahead of her easily to land the US the gold medal they have been yearning for in 41.78 seconds.
Dina Asher-Smith, Imani Lansiquot, Amy Hunt and Daryll Neita took home silver for Great Britain in 41.85 seconds while Germany [Alexandra Burghardt, Lisa Mayer, Gina Lückenkemper and Rebekka Haase] finished third in 41.97 seconds.
The U.S. finished second in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics behind Jamaica that had the most fearsome trio – Shericka Jackson, Fraser-Pryce, and Elaine Thompson-Herah in their fold.
By James K. Attaglo Wilson