Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Women's 4 × 100 metres relay

Summary

The United States entered as the defending Olympic champions, having set new world and Olympic records at the 2012 London Olympics. Jamaica were the reigning world champions from 2015, having defeated the Americans there. Germany had the fastest time of the year before the event (41.62 seconds) and the other main medal contenders included Great Britain and Netherlands (all three made the 2016 European podium).

During the second heat the United States missed their second handover which was later judged to be caused by Franciela Krasucki of the Brazilian team bumping Allyson Felix as she approached the handoff to English Gardner. The American appeal was upheld without reference to Brazil, and they were given a second chance to qualify for the final. A qualifying time faster than 42.70 would displace China from the final, which the United States team accomplished seven and a half hours later with the number one qualifying time of 41.77.

There was no further plot twist in the final. Even though the United States were along the curb in the less advantageous lane 1, Tianna Bartoletta shot out to the lead around the first turn, making up the stagger on Canada's Farah Jacques before the halfway point in the turn. It was a clean, unobstructed pass to Allyson Felix because Canada was still waiting for the incoming runner to arrive. Felix held the advantage down the backstretch, with Jamaica's double sprint gold medalist Elaine Thompson separating from the rest of the field. As English Gardner ran the turn, USA passed Germany in lane 4, while Jamaica was just about to make up the stagger on Trinidad and Tobago to their immediate outside. By the time Gardner handed off to Tori Bowie, the USA had a 3 metre lead over Jamaica, Great Britain just ahead of Trinidad and Tobago racing for bronze. On the run in, Bowie lost some ground on the lead over Jamaica's two time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, but still held a comfortable lead, as Great Britain's Daryll Neita separated from Trinidad and Tobago's Khalifa St. Fort, who was also caught by Germany's Rebekka Haase before the line.

The British team claimed their national record. USA ran the second fastest time in history (only behind their own world record four years earlier). Jamaica ran the fifth fastest time in history.

The following evening the medals were presented by Adam Pengilly, IOC member, Great Brittan and Víctor López, Council Member of the IAAF.

Records

Prior to the competition, the existing World and Olympic records were as follows.

The following national records were established during the competition:

Schedule

All times are Brazil time (UTC−3)

Round 1

Qualification rule: first 3 of each heat (Q) plus the 2 fastest times (q) qualified.