The United States wins a sprint relay double thanks to Lyles and Jefferson-Wooden
The United States concluded the global championships in spectacular fashion on Sunday, as Noah Lyles and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden helped their nation win gold in both 4×100-meter relays in pouring rain, capping off incredible individual weekends.
As the second female to win all three sprint championships at a single World Athletics Championship, Jefferson-Wooden made history.
At the last exchange, the 24-year-old, who took home the 100-200m double in Tokyo, helped the United States take the lead, and Sha’Carri Richardson finished in 41.75 seconds.
“I did what I wanted to do individually, and then came back together with my girls, my training partners, and we were all able to walk away with the gold,” Jefferson-Gooden stated.
“To be taking home three gold medals is insane. I once more put my name in the history books. I’ve arrived at my desired location.
FIRST IN FRASER-PRYCE FAREWELL, JAMAICA
With their 17th world championship medal, Jamaica brought sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whose 2013 sweep Jefferson-Wooden mirrored, into retirement by finishing second in 41.79.
Over her illustrious career, the 38-year-old won three Olympic and ten world sprint titles. “I’m grateful for the opportunity that I got once more to represent my country and to walk away with a silver medal,” she shared.
“I’m excited to have done it with a young team that is coming up, and I’m hoping that I would have done my part to just add some inspiration or some outlook for them.”
Britain finished fourth in 42.07, and Germany finished third in 41.87 for bronze thanks to a fierce last leg from Gina Lueckenkemper.
Even though the conditions were challenging, the U.S. were slick in their handovers in the men’s race, the last track event of an incredible nine days of activity.
In the 200m, Lyles brought them home in 37.29 for his second gold after winning a fourth consecutive 200 after his bronze in the 100, although Kenny Bednarek was buoyed by his gold after yet another silver.
We are all aware that we are the fastest. “We simply needed to take the baton from beginning to end,” Lyles stated.
Everyone performed a fantastic job, so it was somewhat of a relief to see the lead we had. I only needed to complete the race. They made my life easier. There is no greater relay that I could have hoped for.”
Quick finish The Netherlands is thrilled to have won bronze in a national record time of 37.81, while Canada grabbed silver in 37.55.
With 16 gold, five silver, and five bronze, the United States leads the medal table in the men’s discus, which was delayed by rain. Of the 50 countries that have won medals, Kenya is in second place with seven golds.
