The United States Men’s 4×400 Relay Team Wins Gold at Paris Olympics
The U.S. quartet came within an impressive .14 seconds of breaking the world record set by the United States in 1993, showcasing their dominance and skill at the Paris Games.
Rai Benjamin’s exceptional performance on the anchor leg secured the gold medal for the United States in the men’s 4×400-meter relay. With an Olympic record time of 2 minutes, 54.43 seconds, the team consisting of Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, and Benjamin delivered a stellar performance.
After winning the 400-meter hurdles title the night before, Benjamin added another Olympic title to his name with this relay victory. The Americans managed to fend off a strong challenge from Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, who had previously claimed the gold in the 200-meter event.
Reflecting on his strategy, Benjamin stated, “I calculated that run very well to a T. I have a really good, high ‘track IQ’ on people and how they run and how to do a quick time, so I didn’t have to get out too hard: Let’s just save it up to come home.”
With this win, the United States secured their 19th gold in the history of the men’s 4×400 relay at the Summer Olympics, displaying their enduring dominance in the event. Bailey expressed the team’s commitment to upholding this tradition, stating, “Team USA have always had dominance over the 4×4, and we just wanted to keep it going.”
Botswana finished a commendable second, just a tenth of a second behind the United States, with Britain securing third place in 2:55.83.
Benjamin emphasized the importance of self-belief and teamwork in achieving success, especially on the global stage. He credited the team’s trust in each other for their triumph, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure.
Following the men’s 4×400 victory, the U.S. women’s team also secured a gold medal in the 4×400 relay, further cementing the country’s dominance in track and field at the 2024 Olympics.
Overall, the United States amassed an impressive tally of 14 golds and 34 total medals in track and field, underscoring their prowess in the sport.
With Benjamin’s stellar performance and the team’s exemplary teamwork, the United States showcased why they are a force to be reckoned with on the track, leaving a lasting mark on the Paris Olympics.
