Jamaica stumbles, Russia sprints to Women’s 4 x 100m victory

Updated: 2008-08-22 22:16:27

Yuliya Chermoshanskaya of Russia celebrates. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 22) — Russia took the Women’s 4x100m Relay gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in a time of 42.31 seconds.

The coveted gold medals will be worn by Evgeniya Polyakova, Aleksandra Fedoriva, Yulia Gushchina and Yuliya Chermoshanskaya.

The Athens 2004 silver medal team was comprised of Olga Fyodorova, Irina Khabarova, Larisa Kruglova and Yuliya Tabakova.

The silver went to reigning world championships bronze medalist Belgian team, this time made up of Olivia Borlee, Hanna Marien, Elodie Ouedraogo, and Kim Gevaert, in a time of 42.54s.

Barcelona 1992 bronze medalists Nigeria took bronze again, this time with Franca Idoko, Gloria Kemasuode, Halimat Ismaila, and Oludamola Osayomi running in a time of 43.04s.

The United States and Jamaica were expected to go head-to-head for the gold, but the United States was disqualified in the semifinal, while the Jamaicans stumbled in the second changeover, taking Great Britain with them.

Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser was the fastest starter and team mate Sherone Simpson maintained the lead in the back straight.

However, a mix-up between 100m silver medalists Simpson and Kerron Stewart of Jamaica led to a dropped baton and Russia grabbed the opportunity to win their fourteenth Athletics medal of Beijing 2008.

Fedoriva had kept the four in contention on the back straight, whilst Gushchina put Russia into the lead on the final bend.

Defending champion Jamaica was anchored by world 100m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, as they were at Athens 2004. Campbell-Brown was also backed up by the trio that swept the Women’s 100m on Sunday: Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.

Fans of Team USA must be having a deja-vu experience of sorts after witnessing the same fault that disqualified the US women in Athens four years ago. After a shocking baton drop during the handoff between third leg runner Torri Edwards and anchor Lauryn Williams. The result came just moments after the US men were disqualified for the same reason in their 4x100m Relay semifinal.

“We’re not sure what happened. We need to watch the video and see what happened. The stick was there, I really don’t know what happened,” said a confused Williams. “I guess I dropped the stick. It seemed like it was right there and it jumped right out [of my hand].”

Edwards was just as baffled by the bad pass, “I don’t know what really happened; I’m obviously disappointed. It was my chance to be a gold medalist.”

The United States has won this event nine times, but have seen their dominance slip in recent years. The 2005 and 2007 world champions were seeking their first Olympic title since Atlanta 1996.

The team was disqualified at Athens 2004 by a failed baton handover between Williams and Marion Jones. The US’s pride took a serious hit on Sunday when Jamaica swept the Women’s 100m medals.

The Great Britain team will also be devastated by this result after going into the final with confidence. “This is our time. It’s the best British team since the ’80s and we have a great chance, especially with the Americans out,” said a positive Jeanette Kwakye after the semifinal.

With no medals coming to the US team through what is historically one of the country’s strongest Athletics events, Williams is taking it in her stride. “It’s definitely very humbling for Team USA and we’re going to hold our head high and get through it.”