In a commanding performance, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone helped the United States secure victory in the women’s 4×400-meter relay at the World Championships held in Tokyo on March 17, 2024. Competing in challenging rain-soaked conditions, the U.S. team finished with a championship record time of 3 minutes, 16.61 seconds, defeating Jamaica by an impressive margin of 2.64 seconds.
Receiving the baton in first place from teammate Aaliyah Butler, McLaughlin-Levrone further extended the lead with a remarkable split time of 47.82 seconds. This followed her recent victory in the 400-meter race, where she clocked 47.78 seconds and became the first woman in nearly 40 years to break the 48-second barrier in that event.
U.S. Dominance in Relay Events
The Netherlands secured third place in the women’s relay, with their star athlete Femke Bol, the reigning 400-meter hurdles champion, competing in a different section of the track from McLaughlin-Levrone. This latest triumph marks the U.S. team’s eighth victory in the last ten world championships for the women’s 4×400-meter relay, demonstrating their ongoing dominance in the event.
The men’s 4×400-meter relay also delivered an exciting finish. Rai Benjamin, the 400-meter hurdles champion from the U.S., faced off against Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi in a thrilling final lap. Benjamin entered the final leg with a narrow lead of 0.19 seconds, but Kebinatshipi surged ahead, clinching the victory for Botswana by just 0.07 seconds and marking the country’s first relay win with a time of 2:57.76.
This championship event not only showcased outstanding athletic performances but also highlighted the emerging strength of nations like Botswana in the track and field arena. As the world watches these athletes, the future of competitive relays looks promising and competitive.
