Doom delivers again to anchor Belgium to 4x400m gold in Glasgow

Relays powerhouse USA played a bold strategy by drafting in multiple world champion Noah Lyles for the men’s 4x400m in a bid to regain gold in a discipline they haven’t won since 2016, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to hold off the challenge of individual 400m champion Alexander Doom.

The Belgian used the same tactics he adopted in yesterday’s 400m final, sitting on the shoulder of the leader – on this occasion US anchor runner Christopher Bailey – and then striking off the final bend to stride to victory in a world-leading 3:02.54, successfully defending Belgium’s title.

In doing so, Doom became the first man to win gold in the 400m and 4x400m at the same World Indoor Championships.

USA held on for silver, finishing just 0.06 behind, while the Netherlands took bronze, replicating their finish from Belgrade two years ago.

The USA set out with clear intent with Jacory Patterson taking an early lead, holding off Liemarvin Bonevacia of the Netherlands. By the time Patterson approached the changeover, Jonathan Sacoor of Belgium had moved past Bonevacia into second place.

The positions remained the same between those three nations for the next few laps, with Matthew Boling of the USA keeping Belgium’s Dylan Borlee and Ramsey Angela of the Netherlands at bay on leg two.

It was then down to Lyles to maintain USA’s lead. Lyles, the 60m silver medallist on Friday night, has only contested two 4x400m races as a senior athlete, but he ran a smart leg and ensured he handed over the baton still with a lead over Belgium’s Christian Iguacel and Terrence Agard of the Netherlands.

USA’s Christopher Bailey took up the running for USA on the anchor leg, but the imposing Doom was close behind with Tony van Diepen of the Netherlands also in contention in third.

Bailey held his lead for most of his leg, but the longer Doom stayed on the US runner’s shoulder, the more inevitable the outcome seemed. Sure enough, Doom came through in the closing stages to charge through the line in 3:02.54 – just 0.03 shy of their national indoor record.

USA took silver in 3:02.60, while the Netherlands claimed bronze in a Dutch indoor record of 3:04.25.

Kenya placed fourth in 3:06.71, improving on the African indoor record they set earlier today. Poland placed fifth in 3:08.00 while Portugal crossed the line in sixth place but was later disqualified.

“The guys put me in the perfect position,” said Doom, who clocked the fastest split of the race (44.88). “I knew there was something possible at the end. I felt a little bit tired after the last few days. But I had a strong kick at the end, so I am really happy.”

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics