Women's 4 × 400 metres relay at the Games of the XXXII Olympiad | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Venue | Japan National Stadium | ||||||||||||
Dates | 5 August 2021 (round 1) 7 August 2021 (final) | ||||||||||||
Competitors | 73 from 16 nations | ||||||||||||
Winning time | 3:16.85 | ||||||||||||
Medalists | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics | |||
---|---|---|---|
Qualification | |||
Track events | |||
100 m | men | women | |
200 m | men | women | |
400 m | men | women | |
800 m | men | women | |
1500 m | men | women | |
5000 m | men | women | |
10,000 m | men | women | |
100 m hurdles | women | ||
110 m hurdles | men | ||
400 m hurdles | men | women | |
3000 m steeplechase | men | women | |
4 × 100 m relay | men | women | |
4 × 400 m relay | men | mixed | women |
Road events | |||
Marathon | men | women | |
20 km walk | men | women | |
50 km walk | men | ||
Field events | |||
High jump | men | women | |
Pole vault | men | women | |
Long jump | men | women | |
Triple jump | men | women | |
Shot put | men | women | |
Discus throw | men | women | |
Hammer throw | men | women | |
Javelin throw | men | women | |
Combined events | |||
Heptathlon | women | ||
Decathlon | men | ||
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place on 5 and 7 August 2021 at the Japan National Stadium. [1] There were 16 competing relay teams, with each team having at least 5 members from which 4 were selected in each round. [2]
This was the first year a team could run eight runners in the semis and finals. Essentially a deep team could run fresh runners in the semi and final. USA took advantage, doing exactly that, running the #3 through 6 finishers in the US Olympic Trials 400 m in the semi-final round. Kaylin Whitney, Wadeline Jonathas, Kendall Ellis and Lynna Irby combined to produce the fastest time in the semi-final round, more than a second faster than Jamaica, who also held two runners in reserve. Great Britain was the only other team to dare holding two in reserve, also qualifying with the fourth fastest time. The last five teams, two qualifying exclusively on time, were within .09 of each other.
For the final, USA brought in the big guns, all four were individual Olympic Gold Medalists but none had won the Olympic 400 m, only Allyson Felix had even entered it. Leading off on her 22nd birthday, newly crowned Olympic 400 hurdles champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin made up the 3 turn stagger distance on Belgium's Naomi Van Den Broeck in the first 200 metres. Through the second turn. only Jamaica's Roneisha McGregor seemed to be tracking McLaughlin. McGregor struggled the final 100, Poland's fresh Natalia Kaczmarek passing her to exchange second. McLaughlin's split out of the blocks, 50.21. Already the most decorated female track athlete in Olympic history, Felix took USA through to a 5-metre lead at the break line with veterans Iga Baumgart-Witan (POL) and Janieve Russell (JAM) battling down the backstretch in hot pursuit with only Canada on the end of the group separating from the other teams. Through the turn Baumgart-Witan separated from Russell and closed down to within 3 metres of Felix. Then reality set in, Baumgart-Witan would get no closer as Felix opened up the gap on the final straightaway passing to 2016 400 hurdle champion and previous world record holder, Dalilah Muhammad 6 metres ahead. Felix' split 49.38. Behind them, Canada 's from Madeline Price to Kyra Constantine got the jump on Jamaica's pass from Russell to 100 bronze medalist Shericka Jackson to take over third. Seeming to accelerate then accelerate some more, Muhammad opened up two more metres on Poland's Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik halfway through the lap and adding two more before passing to 800 metre gold medalist Athing Mu. Muhammad's split 48.94. Five metres behind Poland, Jackson was able to edge slightly ahead of Constantine at the final handoff. Through the anchor lap, Mu efficiently put the hammer down, widening the gap with every stride. By the time Mu crossed the finish line, she was 26 metres ahead of Poland's Justyna Święty-Ersetic, Mu splitting a phenomenal 48.32. Behind Święty-Ersetic, Canada's Sage Watson managed to get ahead of Jamaica's fresh Candice McLeod, until McLeod came back in the final 100 to take bronze. It was Watson's second consecutive Olympics to anchor her team to fourth place.
This was USA's seventh consecutive Olympic gold, their 3:16.85 the fifth fastest time in history. Poland's 3:20.53 became their new National record. For Felix, it became her eleventh and final Olympic medal. [3]
This was the 13th appearance of the event, having appeared at every Olympics since 1972.
A National Olympic Committee (NOC) could qualify a relay team of 5 athletes in one of three ways. A total of 16 NOCs qualified. [2] [4]
The qualifying period was originally from 1 May 2019 to 29 June 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the period was suspended from 6 April 2020 to 30 November 2020, with the end date extended to 29 June 2021. The qualifying time standards could be obtained in various meets during the given period that have the approval of the IAAF. Both indoor and outdoor meets are eligible. The most recent Area Championships may be counted in the ranking, even if not during the qualifying period. [2] [5]
The event continued to use the two-round format introduced in 2012. [6]
Prior to this competition, the existing world, Olympic, and area records were as follows.
World record | Tatyana Ledovskaya, Olga Nazarova, Mariya Pinigina, Olga Bryzgina (URS) | 3:15.17 | Seoul, South Korea | 1 October 1988 |
Olympic record | Tatyana Ledovskaya, Olga Nazarova, Mariya Pinigina, Olga Bryzgina (URS) | 3:15.17 | Seoul, South Korea | 1 October 1988 |
Area | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation |
---|---|---|---|
Africa ( records ) | 3:21.04 | Nigeria | |
Asia ( records ) | 3:24.28 | China | |
Europe ( records ) | 3:15.17 WR | Soviet Union | |
North, Central America and Caribbean ( records ) | 3:15.51 | United States | |
Oceania ( records ) | 3:23.81 | Australia | |
South America ( records ) | 3:26.68 | Brazil |
All times are Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay took place over two separate days. [1]
Date | Time | Round |
---|---|---|
Thursday, 5 August 2021 | 19:00 | Round 1 |
Saturday, 7 August 2021 | 21:30 | Final |
Qualification Rules: First 3 in each heat (Q) and the next 2 fastest (q) advance to the Final
Rank | Lane | Nation | Competitors | Reaction | Time | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | Poland | Anna Kiełbasińska, Iga Baumgart-Witan, Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik, Justyna Święty-Ersetic | 0.161 | 3:23.10 | Q, SB |
2 | 8 | Cuba | Zurian Hechavarría, Rose Mary Almanza, Sahily Diago, Lisneidy Veitía | 0.194 | 3:24.04 | Q, SB |
3 | 4 | Belgium | Naomi Van Den Broeck, Imke Vervaet, Paulien Couckuyt, Camille Laus | 0.139 | 3:24.08 | Q, NR |
4 | 5 | Germany | Corinna Schwab, Carolina Krafzik, Laura Müller, Ruth Spelmeyer | 0.168 | 3:24.77 | SB |
5 | 9 | France | Sokhna Lacoste, Amandine Brossier, Brigitte Ntiamoah, Floria Gueï | 0.279 | 3:25.07 | SB |
6 | 6 | Switzerland | Léa Sprunger, Silke Lemmens, Rachel Pellaud, Yasmin Giger | 0.153 | 3:25.90 | NR |
7 | 7 | Australia | Bendere Oboya, Kendra Hubbard, Ellie Beer, Anneliese Rubie-Renshaw | 0.197 | 3:30.61 | SB |
2 | Bahamas | Doneisha Anderson, Megan Moss, Brianne Bethel, Anthonique Strachan | 0.297 | DNF |
Rank | Lane | Nation | Competitors | Reaction | Time | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8 | United States | Kaylin Whitney, Wadeline Jonathas, Kendall Ellis, Lynna Irby | 0.177 | 3:20.86 | Q, SB |
2 | 9 | Jamaica | Junelle Bromfield, Roneisha McGregor, Janieve Russell, Stacey-Ann Williams | 0.177 | 3:21.95 | Q, SB |
3 | 3 | Great Britain | Emily Diamond, Zoey Clark, Laviai Nielsen, Nicole Yeargin | 0.169 | 3:23.99 | Q, SB |
4 | 7 | Netherlands | Lieke Klaver, Lisanne de Witte, Laura de Witte, Femke Bol | 0.220 | 3:24.01 | q, NR |
5 | 6 | Canada | Alicia Brown, Sage Watson, Madeline Price, Kyra Constantine | 0.162 | 3:24.05 | q, SB |
6 | 5 | Ukraine | Kateryna Klymiuk, Alina Lohvynenko, Viktoriya Tkachuk, Anna Ryzhykova | 0.173 | 3:24.50 | SB |
7 | 4 | Italy | Maria Benedicta Chigbolu, Alice Mangione, Petra Nardelli, Rebecca Borga | 0.150 | 3:27.74 | SB |
8 | 2 | Belarus | Aliaksandra Khilmanovich, Yuliya Bliznets, Elvira Herman, Asteria Limai | 0.214 | 3:33.00 |
Rank | Lane | Nation | Competitors | Reaction | Time | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | United States | Sydney McLaughlin, Allyson Felix, Dalilah Muhammad, Athing Mu | 0.145 | 3:16.85 | SB | |
4 | Poland | Natalia Kaczmarek, Iga Baumgart-Witan, Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik, Justyna Święty-Ersetic | 0.183 | 3:20.53 | NR | |
5 | Jamaica | Roneisha McGregor, Janieve Russell, Shericka Jackson, Candice McLeod | 0.192 | 3:21.24 | SB | |
4 | 3 | Canada | Alicia Brown, Madeline Price, Kyra Constantine, Sage Watson | 0.179 | 3:21.84 | SB |
5 | 9 | Great Britain | Ama Pipi, Jodie Williams, Emily Diamond, Nicole Yeargin | 0.163 | 3:22.59 | SB |
6 | 2 | Netherlands | Lieke Klaver, Lisanne de Witte, Laura de Witte, Femke Bol | 0.207 | 3:23.74 | NR |
7 | 8 | Belgium | Naomi Van Den Broeck, Imke Vervaet, Paulien Couckuyt, Camille Laus | 0.173 | 3:23.96 | NR |
8 | 6 | Cuba | Zurian Hechavarría, Rose Mary Almanza, Sahily Diago, Lisneidy Veitía | 0.219 | 3:26.92 |
The women's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics as part of the athletics program was held at the Athens Olympic Stadium from August 26 to 27. The sixteen teams competed in a two-heat qualifying round in which the first three teams from each heat, together with the next two fastest teams, were given a place in the final race.
The men's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics as part of the athletics program was held at the Athens Olympic Stadium from August 27 to 28. The sixteen teams competed in a two-heat qualifying round in which the first three teams from each heat, together with the next two fastest teams, were given a place in the final race.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics as part of the athletics program was held at the Athens Olympic Stadium from August 27 to 28. The sixteen teams competed in a two-heat qualifying round in which the first three teams from each heat, together with the next two fastest teams, were given a place in the final race.
Allyson Michelle Felix is a retired American track and field athlete who competed in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. She specialized in the 200 meters from 2003 to 2013, then gradually shifted to the 400 meters later in her career. At 200 meters, Felix is the 2012 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion (2005–2009), a two-time Olympic silver medalist, and the 2011 world bronze medalist. At 400 meters, she is the 2015 world champion, 2011 world silver medalist, 2016 Olympic silver medalist, 2017 world bronze medalist, and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist. Across the short distances, Felix is a ten-time U.S. national champion.
Anna Kiełbasińska is a Polish sprinter who competed occasionally also in hurdling events. She won the bronze medal in the 400 metres as well as silver medals in the 4 x 100 m and 4 x 400 m relays at the 2022 European Championships. Kiełbasińska earned bronze for the 400 m at the 2023 European Indoor Championships. She won several major medals as part of Polish 4 x 400 m relay teams and also individual medals at European Under-20 and U23 Championships.
Tony McQuay is an American track and field athlete who specializes in the 400 meters. He is a member of the 2012 and 2016 United States Olympic teams, winning a silver medal in the 4 × 400 m relay in 2012 and a gold in the same event in 2016. He is also a two time World Champion in this event.
Iga Baumgart-Witan is a Polish sprinter specialising in the 400 metres. She won several medals at major championships as part of Polish 4 × 400 metres relays, including a gold in the mixed relay and a silver in the women's relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Justyna Święty-Ersetic is a Polish sprinter specialising in the 400 metres. She was the 2018 European champion and a two-time European Indoor Championship medallist in this event. Święty-Ersetic won many medals at major championships as part of Polish 4 × 400 m relays, including a gold in the mixed relay and a silver in the women's relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was held at the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange on 19–20 August.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics was held at the Beijing National Stadium on 29 and 30 August.
The women's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics was held at the London Olympic Stadium on 12 August.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics was held at the London Olympic Stadium on 12–13 August.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships took place on 3 and 4 March 2018.
Natalia Kaczmarek is a Polish sprinter who specialises in the 400 metres. She is the 2024 European champion as well as the European silver medalist from 2022. She also won the bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Kaczmarek earned several global medals as part of 4 x 400 m relays, including gold in the mixed event and silver in the women's event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The women's 400 metres event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place from 3 to 6 August 2021 at the Japan National Stadium. 45 athletes from 34 nations competed. Shaunae Miller-Uibo won the gold medal by 0.84 seconds in a personal best of 48.36 secs, a time which ranks her sixth on the world all-time list. In successfully defending her title, Miller-Uibo joined Marie-Jose Perec as the only women to win two Olympic 400 metres titles.
The women's 400 metres hurdles event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place between 31 July and 4 August 2021 at the Japan National Stadium. 39 athletes from 25 nations competed.
The mixed 4 × 400 metres relay event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place on 30 and 31 July 2021 at the Japan National Stadium. There were 16 competing relay teams, with each team having four members. It was the first mixed-gender relay in athletics held at the Olympic Games, as part of a larger focus on gender equality by the International Olympic Committee.
The mixed 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2019 World Athletics Championships was held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha from 28 to 29 September 2019.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2019 World Athletics Championships was held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, from 5 to 6 October 2019. In the final the Jamaican team were initially disqualified, but were reinstated as the bronze medallists upon appeal.
The women's 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships took place on 20 March 2022.