USA's 4x400m team celebrate gold in Nanjing (© Getty Images)
The women’s 4x400m started as a race but ended as more of a procession for a dominant US team that eventually won by almost five seconds.
The quartet of Quanera Hayes, Bailey Lear, Rosey Effiong and Alexis Holmes teamed up to claim the final gold medal of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25, clocking 3:27.45.
Poland, who had led after the first leg, took silver in 3:32.05 ahead of Australia, who were making their first appearance in this discipline at the World Indoors since 1999.
Justyna Swiety Ersetic, the most experienced member of the Polish squad, gave her nation an early lead thanks to a 52.18 effort, putting her marginally ahead of USA’s Hayes. But Lear soon gained a lead that the USA would not relinquish, handing over to Effong.
The 400m finalist opened up clear ground for the USA before 400m silver medallist Holmes – a proven anchor leg runner at major championships – produced a 51.47 split to secure gold.
Behind Poland and Australia, the Chinese team was roared to a fourth-place finish.
“We've been running with each other since college, so we definitely get to know each other a lot,” said Holmes. “We don't get to see each other that much during the year, but every time we get together the goal is just to win. That's the highlight of the week for sure, another medal for team USA.”
Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics
| WOMEN'S 4x400m MEDALLISTS | ||
| 🥇 | United States (USA) | 3:27.45 |
| 🥈 | Poland (POL) | 3:32.05 |
| 🥉 | Australia (AUS) | 3:32.65 |
| Full results | ||
