What a phenomenal performance by the men’s relay team in the Olympics! The quartet of Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, and Rai Benjamin set an Olympic record with a blazing time of 2:54.43 to secure the gold medal in the men’s 4×400 relay, marking the fifth victory for the U.S. in the last six Olympics.
Rai Benjamin, who had already clinched gold in the 400m hurdles, took the anchor leg and fended off Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, the 200m gold medalist, in a thrilling finish. Botswana settled for silver, clocking in at 2:54.53, while Great Britain claimed the bronze in 2:55.83.
The previous night, the 4×100 relay team faced disappointment as they were disqualified due to an out-of-zone exchange. This setback led American sprint legend Carl Lewis to call for a revamp of the relay program, which has been without a medal since 2004.
However, the men’s 4×400 relay team continued America’s dominance in the event, winning a total of 19 gold medals out of 26 Olympic competitions. Despite not being the most recognized names in sprinting, these athletes consistently deliver spectacular performances.
During the Paris Games, the U.S. team showcased their resilience, finishing third in the prelims with standout performances from young talents like 16-year-old Quincy Hall. With strong runs from Norwood, Deadmon, and Benjamin, the team secured yet another gold medal, with Benjamin proving to be a key anchor once again.
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(Photo: Hannah Peters / Getty Images)
