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US win sixth straight gold in women's 4x400 relay

Last updated on: August 21, 2016 09:02 IST

(L-R) Courtney Okolo, Natasha Hastings, Allyson Felix and Phyllis Francis of the United States react after winning gold in the Women's 4 x 400 meter Relay at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday

IMAGE: (L-R) Courtney Okolo, Natasha Hastings, Allyson Felix and Phyllis Francis of the United States react after winning gold in the Women's 4 x 400 meter Relay at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday. Photograph: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The United States maintained their iron grip on the Olympic women's 4x400 metres relay on Saturday when they held off Jamaica for their sixth straight victory in the event to give anchor Allyson Felix her sixth career gold.

The US finished in 3 minutes 19.06 seconds. Jamaica took silver in 3:20.34 and Britain the bronze in 3:25.88.

"It's really special," said four-time Olympian Felix who had started the Games somewhat frustrated after missing out on qualification for the 200m.

"I can look back on the things that I've accomplished and really be proud and really grateful for what track and field has brought to my life"

Her team mate Courtney Okolo set the stage for the win by grabbing the lead in the opening stage and the US never relinquished it, pushed by Jamaica but well clear of the rest of the field by the halfway point.

Felix held off a late challenge by Jamaica's Novlene Wiliams-Mills to claim her third medal of the Rio Olympics having won gold in the 4x100m relay and silver in the individual 400m. The US gold streak in the event started at the 1996 Atlanta Games. "It's amazing to come together with these women tonight and be able to finish it off," Felix said. "It was a good night." Natasha Hastings and Phyllis Francis rounded out the U.S. team. Jamaica's silver was their fifth straight medal in the event, following silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004, 2008 and 2012 while Britain claimed their first medal since 1992.

IMAGE: Allyson Felix of USA celebrates as team USA win the 4x400m relay gold. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Felix held off a late challenge by Jamaica's Novlene Wiliams-Mills to claim her third medal of the Rio Olympics having won gold in the 4x100m relay and silver in the individual 400m.

The US gold streak in the event started at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

"It's amazing to come together with these women tonight and be able to finish it off," Felix said. "It was a good night."

Natasha Hastings and Phyllis Francis rounded out the U.S. team.

Jamaica's silver was their fifth straight medal in the event, following silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004, 2008 and 2012 while Britain claimed their first medal since 1992.

Source: REUTERS
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