The United States won Olympic 4x400m men’s relay gold in the final track event of Rio 2016.
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Arman Hall, Tony McQuay and Gil Roberts combined to give Merritt a two meter lead and the former 400m Olympic and world champion extended that to seven to win in two minutes, 57.30 seconds.
Jamaica’s Javon Francis produced a great home stretch on the final leg to ensure silver for his country in 2:58.16.
Taking silver was Jamaica with a time of 2:58.16, and Bahamas stormed past Botswana to take bronze in 2:58.49.
McQuay was the only holdover from the USA 4x400m team that won the silver medal at the 2012 Olympics.
Team USA has ruled the 4×400 at the Olympic Games.
The Americans entered Saturday having won gold in 16 of 22 previous Olympics (including 1980, which the US boycotted). The 4x100m relay team finished third, but was disqualified because of an illegal baton exchange between Mike Rodgers and Justin Gatlin.
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The Jamaican anchor closed well to help Jamaica finish second.
