The Americas took a desperately close dip finish win over the USA, in 2:59.19 a world leading performance for 2002. The USA finished in a season’s best of 2:59.21, with Africa back in third, 3:01.69.
The Spanish team’s anchor runner, much to the horror of the crowd, fell and dropped the baton just after the last change. Later the European team was also to be disqualified.
At the front of the race the USA’s anchor, former individual World champion Antonio Pettigrew - running the last race of his career - seemed a certain winner as he entered the home straight but in a terrific sustained finishing burst the 2002 world 400m leader Michael Blackwood, would not be denied and led the Americas home to win fractionally ahead of the USA.
