The United States women’s 4×400-meter relay team triumphed at the World Championships in Tokyo, securing a commanding victory in a rain-soaked final. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who received the baton in first place, extended the lead handed to her by teammate Aaliyah Butler and crossed the finish line in a championship-record time of 3 minutes, 16.61 seconds. This remarkable performance gave the U.S. a win margin of 2.64 seconds over Jamaica, marking yet another milestone in the country’s relay dominance.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s impressive split of 47.82 seconds came just three days after she claimed gold in the individual 400-meter event, where she made history by becoming the first woman to break 48 seconds in nearly 40 years with a time of 47.78 seconds. The Netherlands secured third place in the relay, with Femke Bol, the Dutch 400-meter hurdles champion, competing alongside McLaughlin-Levrone but running in a different section of the track.
The U.S. has been a powerhouse in the women’s 4×400-meter relay, winning eight of the last ten championships. This latest victory continues to cement their status as the team to beat in this event.
In the men’s 4×400-meter relay, drama unfolded as the final lap featured a thrilling sprint between the U.S. 400 hurdles champion Rai Benjamin and Botswana’s 400 flat champion Collen Kebinatshipi. Benjamin entered the final lap with a narrow lead of 0.19 seconds, but Kebinatshipi surged ahead, finishing the race in 2 minutes, 57.76 seconds, and securing Botswana’s first relay victory.
The performances during this championship highlight the growing competitiveness in track and field, particularly in relay events where strategy and team coordination are crucial. As the championships continue, the spotlight remains on these remarkable athletes who are pushing the boundaries of speed and teamwork on the global stage.