U.S. women win third consecutive world title in the 4x400m relay

The United States women’s 4x400m relay team brought home the 13th gold medal for Team USA Sunday night, as they pulled away from Jamaica and Great Britain to claim their third straight World Athletics Championship title in the event.

The first two legs of the race made it look like it may come down to a lean for the gold medal, but Britton Wilson’s incredible third leg opened up a lead that could not be closed, especially when Sydney McLaughlin took hold of the stick.

Talitha Diggs ran the first leg of the race and came out of the blocks well, but Jamaica, Great Britain and Canada stayed hot on her tail coming into the exchange. Abby Steiner took leg two for the Americans and was able to bring a small lead into the second exchange.

It was Britton Wilson in leg three who induced goosebumps as she began to pull away from the field. In stunning form, the Arkansas Razorback and defending NCAA 400m hurdle champion extended the lead for America coming into the handoff with a sizable lead of about 15 meters to pass the baton to Sydney McLaughlin.

Wilson ran an incredible 49.39 split to be surpassed only by the 400m world record holder, McLaughlin, who crossed the finish line with an unbelievable time of 47.91 and some 20 meters ahead of Jamaica. Great Britain rounded out the top three to earn bronze.

The four women who ran the final certainly earned their spot, but there is one notable name missing who was instrumental in getting the team there. Allyson Felix was back home in California eating wings and root beer as a celebratory retirement meal when she received a call from her coach, Bob Kersee, asking her if she could be available for the 4x400m relay.

Felix helped the U.S. mixed relay team win bronze on night one of competition marking what was supposed to be her last race before retiring from an incredible career. Her performance must have inspired the American coaches to call her out of her two minute retirement to assist with the 4x400m relay.

In the semifinals, Diggs ran the opening leg and handed off to Felix in the second position. “To give her her last relay exchange,” Diggs said, “is pretty awesome.” Felix came down the straightaway to a waiting Kaylin Whitney and was able to give her a decent one second lead.

“It’s kind of come full circle, literally, just kind of being in the short sprints and idolizing her,” Whitney said. “To move up to this event has just been amazing. To be able to be run alongside her as well as these other great ladies is a privilege.”

While Felix watched the final from the stands on Sunday evening, she will still receive a medal for being part of the relay team who assisted in getting the Americans into the final along with Kaylin Whitney and Jaide Stepter Baynes who ran the anchor leg in the semifinal race.

Felix already held the record for most decorated U.S. Track and Field athlete of all time, but adding a 20th medal to her count is icing on top of the cake. But, Felix is more excited to re-enter retirement and finish that last meal of her favorite hot wings that was interrupted. “I only got a few of them,” Felix said. “I’ll finish them now.”