| The heats saw the possibility of a titanic battle with Jamaica taking the first race in 41.87, followed by the USA, who won the second heat in 41.82. Second in those heats were France (42.25) and Brazil (42.29). Of the four teams, only one would have an unsullied race in the final two hours later. Over the first two legs Jamaica and USA had a great battle, with Russell for Jamaica leading Tarmoh, and then Anderson coming back at Stewart after a poor Jamaican baton pass. The race was lost by the USA on the second changeover, when Gardner had to virtually stop to receive the baton after starting far too soon. Jamaica were already 10m down the track when the US baton pass was completed, and with Fraser-Pryce on the last leg, the gold medal was a Jamaican certainty. The USA were in sixth place at the last changeover, but fought their way to third, which became second when – after having received silver medals – France were belatedly disqualified after a zone infringement at the second changeover. Britain were promoted from fourth to bronze, meaning that their lead-off runner Asher-Smith (17) became the third youngest-ever World Championship medallist after Sally Barsosio (1993 women’s 10,000m) and Darrel Brown (2001 men’s 4x100m relay). |
