After completely missing the podium in the mixed 4x400m relay in Tokyo 2021 and finishing behind Poland, the Dominican Republic and Team USA, the Netherlands officially took the Olympic crown in Saturday’s final, all thanks to anchor Femke Bol, who headed into the final 200m of the race in fourth position, but passed three other athletes, edging out Team USA’s Kaylyn Brown by one hundredth of a second. The Dutch team clocked 3:07.43 to set an area record and secure the gold medal.
Team Netherlands was just two-hundredths of a second off the world record set by the Americans on Friday. Bol only overtook Brown in the last 20m of the home stretch–she completed her leg in 47.93, just two and a half seconds slower than her male teammate, Eugene Omaha, whose split was 45.30.
The race kept the crowd on their toes, with Belgium, Great Britain, the U.S. and the Netherlands separating from the field early and battling back and forth. Headed into the last lap, Brown held onto Team USA’s significant lead over the field, after the team led the second and third legs of the race. The Belgians also shared this lead for parts of the race, but ended up missing the podium altogether, taking fourth.
Team Poland, the defending Olympic champions in the mixed relay, took the 8th and final spot in the final.
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Athletics events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are taking place from Aug. 1-11. Today’s coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and New Balance Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.
