Team USA Creates History with Back-to-Back Wins in 4×100 Relay at World Championships

In a historic moment for American sprinting, Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles led the U.S. team to back-to-back victories in the 4×100-meter relay at the world championships on Saturday. This remarkable achievement marked the first time since 2007 that the U.S. has swept the short relays at the championships, showcasing their dominance on the global stage.

For Noah Lyles, this win completed a flawless 3-for-3 championships, a feat only accomplished by the legendary Usain Bolt in 2015. Lyles secured victories in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter events, solidifying his status as one of the world’s top sprinters. As Lyles crossed the finish line with a time of 37.38 seconds, he triumphantly raised three fingers, a symbolic gesture to highlight his remarkable achievement.

Looking ahead, Lyles sets his sights on the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he aims to emulate Bolt’s incredible feat of winning all three races in multiple championships.

Following Lyles’ inspiring performance, the men’s team stayed on the track to support the U.S. women’s relay. When Sha’Carri Richardson completed her leg and crossed the finish line, lead runner Christian Coleman playfully tackled her in celebration. Richardson quickly rose to her feet, and laughter filled the air. Alongside her gold medals in the relays, Richardson also earned a bronze in the 200-meter event, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the world of sprinting.

The U.S. women’s team secured victory with a time of 41.03 seconds, narrowly edging out Jamaica by a mere 0.18 seconds, while Britain claimed the third-place spot. In the men’s race, Italy finished in second place with a time of 37.62 seconds, followed by Jamaica.

While the United States has long been renowned for its exceptional sprinters, relay races are not solely determined by speed. Over the years, the U.S. has faced numerous challenges with baton exchanges, which have cost them victories in 12 world championships and Olympics since 1995. The women’s team also encountered their fair share of difficulties, as evidenced by the disqualification of the 4×400-meter team due to lane violations shortly before the 4×100-meter race.

However, any past setbacks seemed insignificant when Sha’Carri Richardson received the baton from Gabby Thomas, the silver medalist in the 200-meter event. Richardson exhibited her lightning-fast speed, overtaking Shericka Jackson, the gold medalist in the 200-meter, and securing a comfortable lead that she maintained until the finish line.

Although the baton exchange between Brandon Carnes and Noah Lyles was not flawless, Lyles managed to maintain a slight lead over Jamaica’s Rohan Watson. Lyles, renowned for his exceptional closing speed, crossed the finish line triumphantly, completing a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the championships.

With a total of 27 medals and one more day of competition remaining, the U.S. team concluded the night on a high note. Many would argue that none of the medals earned thus far can compare to the sweetness of these two relay victories, solidifying the U.S. team’s dominance in the world of sprinting.