Women 4x400m relay heats
The first two in each of the two heats automatically qualify to the final together with the four fastest losers.
The Jamaican squad was running in heat one and the crowed were on their feet for the whole 3 and a half minutes of the race.
Prendergast ran the first leg for Jamaica and concluded her lap slightly ahead of Australia’s Pedley. Following them were the representatives of Russia and Germany in that order. When the second-leggers reached the final bend, Camille Robinson, running for Jamaica, had a ten-metre lead on Russia’s Dryakhlova. Germany was trailing but Australia had already lost touch with the leading three teams.
At the second exchange, Jamaica and Russia were even but the local girl managed to keep the inside which meant the lead of the race. Gushchina for Russia overtook Kerron Stewart of Jamaican on the line and handed over the baton for the fourth and last lap. Running stride to stride in the last leg Russia and Jamaica eventually finished in this order Popova holding off Morgan. The Russian clocked 3:31.64 while the Jamaicans were timed in 3:32.20. Both teams advanced to the final.
The second heat was a much easier affair, the US team lining up Hardeman, Hennagan, Demus and Richards. Running from start to tape in the front, team USA’s girls clearly didn’t push hard at all. They won the heat in 3:35.84 ahead of Great Britain (3:38.49) and Romania (3:40.21). In an anxious moment during the women’s 4x400m, 2-time World Junior medalist Sanya Richards, running the third leg, tripped over the railing after successfully handing off to anchor Lashinda Demus. Richards was taken off the track on a stretcher to be evaluated. Initial reports were a sprain to her right ankle.
With France not finishing, one of the relay members falling to the floor injured, and Canada not starting it meant that all teams of both heats advance to the final.
