Relay mayhem as US women get into final after unusual solo heat

THEY were expecting boos but the American women’s 4x100m relay team rode home the cheers of the Rio crowd and qualified for the finals in an unusual solo heat.

The Americans were flawless the second time of asking in the 4x100m relay heats.

THEY were expecting boos but the American women’s 4x100m relay team rode home the cheers of the Rio crowd and qualified for the finals in an unusual solo heat at the Olympic Stadium.

The reigning Olympic champions ran on their own in lane two after dropping the baton earlier in the day in the heats of the 4 x 100m.

Team USA quickly appealed for a second chance given the baton had been knocked from the hand of star Allyson Felix at the second change-over by Brazilian runner Franciela Krasucki, who bumped into the USA sprinter.

​After officials reviewed the tape the appeal was successful ​and the USA team were given a specially arranged heat to attempt a qualifying time in the night session.

The Americans were flawless the second time of asking in the 4x100m relay heats.

They did it easy, running the fastest time (although they’ll run from lane one or eight regardless) and in doing so knocked out the Chinese team, who were slowest qualifiers in the final from the morning heats.

“Before we came out our coach said it was just like a practice but the whole world was watching,” team member English Gardner said.

“​We were laughing and joking going in and that was the whole point. Now all we have to do is do the same thing and have the same pla​n as we did the first time and get out there and execute it.”

Felix said she had been in a state of shock when she saw the baton hit the ground but had the presence of mind to know to pick it up, pass the baton to Gardner and get her team to finish, which enabled the appeal.

“I was stunned and shocked. I have never been in anything like that,” Felix said.

Left behind ... English Gardner takes off without the baton.

“I knew what had happened so I knew that’s now how it goes. But I knew we had to finish in order to have a good shot at this.”

China argued the USA should not be allowed to run the heat, knowing they were on the chopping block.

Gardner said she felt sorry for the Chinese team but they’d used the rules fairly.

“It’s unfortunate what happened, and I wish it didn’t happen in this way and we were all able to compete,” Gardner said.

“We worked so hard, and those girls worked so hard. My heart is ​heavy for them but we had the protest we were able to run off and we had that opportunity and we seized it.”

The Americans in the final at China’s expense.

Brazil were disqualified for their interference on the USA, and the American team were uncertain how they would be received in their solo race given home crowds have been booing rivals all Games.

“It was interesting, we were walking out and we got cheers and I looked at Allyson and said I was not expecting that,” Gardner said.

Felix said: “It was different. It was really weird. But when we walked out and people were cheering for us, that help lift us a little bit and encouraged us.”

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