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Canada’s 4x400m team just misses podium in relay final

The U.S. brought star-studded lineups to win double Olympic gold in the 4x400m

August 7, 2021
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The 4x400m finals were action-packed as the U.S. brought out the heavy artillery of Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad, Allyson Felix and Athing Mu – all of them medallists at this Games. The quartet did not disappoint, and will be adding gold medals to their luggage on the trip home, wiping the field from the start and finishing in 3:16.85. This is the American women’s seventh straight Olympic win in the 4x400m; their last loss came in Barcelona in 1992, where they won silver. And it was Felix’s 11th Olympic medal – she became the most-decorated female Olympian on the track with her bronze in the 400m earlier this week.

Athing Mu wins USATF 600m, sets senior national record. Photo: Twitter

RELATED: Sydney McLaughlin wins 400mH gold and breaks world record

This race was a battle for silver and bronze as Jamaica, Poland and Canada jostled for the podium. Alicia Brown and Maddy Price got them off to a great start, holding on to third as they passed the baton to Kyra Constantine, who battled with the Jamaican and Polish sprinters to the bell lap. 400m-hurdler Sage Watson was on the anchor leg for Canada, receiving the baton in the bronze-medal position but getting ousted to the line by Jamaica’s Candice McLeod, who was out for redemption after nearly missing the podium in the women’s 400m final. Canada finished fourth, in 3:21.84, behind Poland, who won silver in 3:20.53, and bronze medallists Jamaica in 3:21.24.

This was a season’s best performance for Canada and the second-fastest time ever run by a Canadian 4×400 team. This young Canadian team will be a team to watch at the World Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. in 2022. 

RELATED: Canada takes silver in mixed 4x400m at World Relays

In the men’s 4x400m, the U.S. brought another star-studded team to capture the final gold medal given on the track at these Games. Although this race was closer than the women’s, the American contingent managed to get out to a lead during their second leg, as Michael Norman created a gap over the chasing team from Botswana. The U.S. team came across the line for gold in 2:55.70, two seconds ahead of the Netherlands and Botswana, who battled it out for silver and bronze. It was Ramsay Angela of the Netherlands who out-dipped Botswana at the line to win the silver in 2:57.18, Botswana securing bronze in an African record of 2:57.27.

Botswana’s Isaac Makawla was in raw emotion as the 35-year-old 400m specialist finally gots his hands on an Olympic medal at what will most likely be his last Games. This was the first-ever medal for Botswana in the relays. The Dutch team managed to recover to run a national record after a risky baton pass on their first leg. But it will be utter disappointment for Belgium’s team, led by the Borlee brothers in their last Olympic Games. Belgium managed to set a national record in 2:57.88 but will be going home without the jewellery.

RELATED: Steven Gardiner becomes world’s fastest man over 400m

The 4x400m relay was a fantastic way to end a wild 10 days at the National Stadium, which brought us world records, sheer glory and six medals for Team Canada, including two golds. 

The final event of the Games, the men’s marathon, takes place in Sapporo at 7 a.m. Sunday morning local time (6 p.m. Saturday evening for Canadian viewers). 

View all results here. 

 

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