The USA regained the men’s 4x400m crown from The Bahamas in the first ever long relay in history in which six teams dipped below three minutes.

While there was a certain inevitability about the eventual outcome of gold, it should be noted that for 1500m Botswana posed an unlikely threat to the USA until their anchor leg runner heartbreakingly faded down the home stretch to wind up fifth.

The minor medals were picked up by Jamaica in second – their first Olympic medal in this event since Sydney 2000 – with Bahamas, the 2012 gold medallists, holding off Belgium to grab bronze.

The USA had looked far from convincing in the heats after conceding a rare men’s 4x400m defeat to Jamaica, and in a hard-fought final they had to battle tooth and nail for the win.

After the first leg it was Botswana courtesy of Isaac Makwala (44.8), who held a clear advantage from the USA’s Arman Hall followed by Bahamas and Jamaica in close order.

By half distance, the USA, thanks to a stunning second leg of 43.2 by Tony McQuay, had hauled themselves level, although it should be noted Botswana were still bang in contention following an impressive 43.9 leg from Karabo Sibanda.

It was then Jamaica, Belgium and Bahamas with little to separate the trio.

The USA, with Gil Roberts in possession of the baton, finally opened up a small advantage on leg three from the tenacious Botswana quartet. However, Roberts almost came to grief on the final inside bend when veering on the rail and momentarily losing his balance.

Leading into the final leg, The Bahamas had moved up to third from Jamaica and Belgium thanks to a stunning 43.79 effort from Steven Gardiner.

With Lashawn Merritt – the USA’s anchor boasting an individual 400m PB almost two seconds quicker than Botswana’s fourth-leg runner Gaone Leaname Maotoanong – it always seemed a battle heavily weighted in favour of the former and so it proved.

The Olympic 400m bronze medallist was doggedly pursued by Maotoanong until the Botswanan’s race dramatically unravelled in the final straight.

With Merritt galloping to a 43.97 final leg and crossing the line in a world-leading 2:57.30, a struggling Maotoanong started to desperately pay for the early pace. As he was swamped by the chasing pack, he almost stumbled and fell 30 metres from the finish, only to drag himself across the line in fifth. He did record a solid 45.28 clocking and at least Botswana had the consolation of running a national record of 2:59.06.

Jamaica muscled their way into silver in 2:58.16 thanks to a stunning 43.78 anchor from Javon Francis. In a tight battle for bronze, veteran Chris Brown held off the late-charging Kevin Borlee (43.67) of Belgium by just three hundredths, recording a time of 2:58.49.

It was also a historic moment for 37-year-old Brown, who became the first man in history to win four Olympic medals in the men’s 4x400m. Besides today’s bronze, he also won 2000 bronze, 2008 silver and 2012 gold medals. It was also a record-breaking fifth successive Olympic 4x400m final appearance for the man they call ‘The Fireman’.

Cuba was the sixth team under three minutes, recording 2:59.53.

Steve Landells for the IAAF

On the evidence of the 4x400m heats, it will be no straight forward task for the USA to reclaim a title that they have won on 16 previous occasions.

Four years ago at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the USA were surprisingly defeated by The Bahamas, and in today’s first-round heat, the pre-event favourites produced a far from convincing performance conceding defeat to Jamaica.

In a thrilling and high-class race, five teams – the US, Botswana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and France – were in close order. By the halfway stage, Botswana – courtesy of Karabo Sibanda – and the USA were locked together with Trinidad and Tobago five metres further back.

The field concertinaed on the third leg and a blanket could have been tossed over the leading four teams – the US, Jamaica, Trinidad and Botswana – at the final exchange.

In the final lap charge, USA’s David Verburg built up a solid lead but Javon Francis finished with a scintillating late burst to help Jamaica grab top spot in 2:58.29 – by 0.09 from the US, who had the very unusual experience of placing second in a heat of the 4x400m at an Olympic Games.

Trinidad, anchored by Machel Cedenio who finished fourth in the individual 400m, recorded a time of 2:58.84 and was initially awarded third, but were later disqualified for a lane infringement.

Botswana was upgraded to third – the final automatic qualification spot – courtesy of a national record time of 2:59.35. Poland grabbed fourth in 2:59.58 to advance on time. It was the first time in history that four sub-three-minute times were recorded in an Olympic heat.

There was more drama in the second heat. A thrilling final leg from Martyn Rooney earned Great Britain what appeared to be an impressive heat win. However, their joy was to quickly turn to despair when they were disqualified for taking the baton out of an exchange zone.

Belgium – who set a national record of 2:59.25 – with 75 per cent of thanks to the three Borlee brothers – to take the win. Defending champions The Bahamas earned safe passage into the final placing second in 2:59.64 with Cuba, the 1992 Olympic silver medallists, securing the third automatic place in 3:00.16.

There was also delight for Brazil, who, roared on by a thumping home crowd, recorded a season’s best time of 3:00.43, which proved enough to advance to Saturday’s final.

Steve Landells for the IAAF