China’s runners did not compete directly with the Americans this morning, as they were in the other qualifying heat.
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In a rare sight at the Olympics, the USA women’s team were given a second shot at qualifying in Rio on Thursday after earlier dropping their baton.
In a surreal scene on the tracks, the team ran by themselves Thursday evening, where they bested last-placed China’s time of 47.20 and qualified for the finals.
Their time of 41.77 seconds was faster than the 41.79 turned in by Jamaica in the morning’s first semifinal. After the race, Felix told reporters in the mixed zone that the the Brazilian sprinter in the lane next to the US may have stepped out of her lane causing contact, and shortly after, USA Track and Field filed an appeal.
The result meant China will miss Friday’s final after originally qualifying eighth fastest. Instead of handing off the baton, she had to try flipping it to English Gardner. “I have never been in that situation before, but I am happy that we got a shot at it”, she said.
The time, 41.77, was more than good enough to earn the United States of America a trip to the final Friday night.
“I don’t know how much more I can take”, said Felix, whose season has been filled with injuries, disappointments and, now, this. Bartoletta will go straight from the rerun to her medals ceremony.
Slow motion TV replays clearly showed Brazilian Franciela Krasucki bumping Felix just before she attempted to hand over the baton to English Gardner.
“I remember them telling us, if there’s an appeal, you have to make an effort”, Felix said.
After the initial shock, Felix had the presence of mind to get Gardner to pick it up and continue running so the team at least completed the race, albeit in last place.
“Honestly, I feel like it was just like a glorified practice”.
Four years ago in London, an American group led by Felix shattered the world record with a time of 40.82 seconds. Gardner said Bartoletta gave teammates advice before the race: “They’re giving us a second chance”.
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“I think I got propelled at about 20 miles an hour”, Felix told reporters. “Glad we got a chance to really run a race with these ladies and qualify for the finals”, Akinosun Morolake said after the re-run.
