USA win women's world 4x100m relay gold
The 4x100 meter relay is one of the most thrilling events in track and field, but because it requires precision for blind baton handoffs, you never quite know how races will shake out.
It was no different on Saturday night in Eugene, Oregon.
The men's and women's 4x100 medal races were held at the World Athletics Championships, and neither favorite won gold, instead taking silver.
In the women's race, the United States earned a surprise win, with Twanisha "TeeTee" Terry holding off Jamaica's Shericka Jackson down the final straightaway for a title-winning time of 41.14 seconds, the third-fastest ever.
The American quartet of Melissa Jefferson, Abby Steiner, Jenna Prandini and Terry featured three exceedingly young stars in Jefferson (21 years old), Steiner (22) and Terry (23), with the veteran Prandini, whose leg on the second turn and handoff to Terry were effectively flawless, setting her teammate up brilliantly for the anchor leg.
It was the eighth Worlds gold in the sprint relay for the American women.
Jamaica, which swept the medals in the 100 meters and won gold and silver in the 200, was certainly considered the favorite in the race, but a shaky first exchange from Kemba Nelson to Elaine Thompson-Herah meant Thompson-Herah had to slow down a bit to make sure they completed their handoff within the zone and were not disqualified.
