Even when things could have gone really bad for the USA, with the women’s 4×100-meter relay team failing to get the baton around, there was a second chance at yet more hardware. But the IAAF, the sport’s global federation, ruled that a Brazilian runner “obstructed” Felix before the botched handover, and awarded the US a second opportunity to qualify for the final. But now the US will have a second opportunity to qualify for the final, after launching a successful protest.
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Ruling that the runner had been obstructed by a Brazilian runner at the second exchange (from Allyson Felix to English Gardner) the jury ruled that the US women will rerun the race alone Thursday night.
“I don’t think anything was missing and we ran the fastest qualifier”.
The Jamaicans needed Fraser-Pryce’s blistering finish to hold off Britain who were third-fastest in 41.93, ahead of Germany, who won the second heat in 42.18 after the Americans dropped out of contention.
China appealed the USA’s reinstatement, but it was denied.
Two of the runners in the heat, Felix and Tianna Bartoletta, were part of the team that set the world record (40.82 seconds) at the 2012 Olympics in London.
With three full days of competition to come after Thursday, the United States has 20 medals in track and field, including 6 gold.
Felix wisely instructed Gardner to pick up the baton to complete the race, making the protest possible.
An instant replay told the story.
“I got bumped coming into the exchange zone”, Felix said.
The throw missed Gardner’s hands completely and American hopes of a wrestling back a title they once nearly owned were over, to the likely benefit of Jamaica and Elaine Thompson. “Maybe if I had one more step I could’ve, but I was falling as I was going to her”. In all likelihood, the appeal will be successful.
“I don’t know how much more I can take”, said Felix, whose season has been filled with injuries, disappointments and, now, this. Rather than wallow, Felix made sure the United States of America finished the race, because the appeal would have weaker merit if the team had failed to continue. It made for a score of 7,370 points with two events to go, just off his world record pace.
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Brazil was disqualified but did not make the final.
