The British team have reached the final of both the women’s and men’s 4x100m relay after the event opened at the Stade de France.
But there were tense moments for the favorites in the women’s competition, after the American riders came perilously close to disqualification after a mistake in their second handover. There was another shock in the men’s competition when Jamaica failed to qualify for the final after a series of failed handovers.
In the first heat of the women’s 4x100m relay, American Melissa Jefferson started well, passing the ball to Twanisha Terry, but Gabby Thomas took off too early, allowing the runner to take the baton just in time. Silver medalist in the 100m, Sha’Carri Richardson, was busy in the final stretch, but fired up the boosters to get her team across the finish line first in a time of 41.94 seconds. The American women won gold in 2012 and 2016, but finished second to Jamaica in Tokyo.
Team GB – Bianca Williams, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Amy Hunt and Desiree Henry – secured a comfortable victory in the second heat. With smooth handovers that belied the problems British quartets have had in this event, the team recorded 42.03. Hosts France fought hard for second place with 42.13, while reigning Olympic champions Jamaica finished in third place with 42.35 – with the top three from each heat guaranteed a place in Friday’s final.
Great Britain, who have won bronze at the last two Games, will receive a significant boost with the return of Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita for the final.
In the men’s event, the United States took the first step toward ending its drought in the men’s 4x100m relay, qualifying fastest in Thursday’s heats, which surprisingly eliminated Jamaica after two bad transitions.
The GB team of Jeremiah Azu, Louie Hinchliffe, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake took third in the first heat. Top spot was taken by Team USA, who are chasing the title for the first time since Sydney 2000. Fred Kerley, who was involved in the failed change that ended their Tokyo hopes, ran a strong second leg to hand green Kyree King the win, and Courtney Lindsey brought them comfortably across the line in 37.47. Akani Simbine ran a fast final leg to take South Africa to second place in 37.94, just ahead of Great Britain (38.04).
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After qualifying, Kilty said he thought Team GB could run a faster final. “We skip breakfast to burn calories and prioritise sleep,” he said. “So we’re like vampires in the night. We go out there and we’re ready for blood tomorrow night.”