Saturday’s events at the Paris Games saw the U.S. secure gold medals in both the men’s and women’s 4×400-meter relays, capping off a stellar finish. The women’s team, featuring Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, and Alexis Holmes, dominated their race decisively.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s impressive performance in the second leg quickly established a commanding lead, leaving the gold medal almost assured. Spectators soon shifted their focus to the contest for second place, which the Netherlands finally won.
Thomas, who had already earned gold in the 200-meter and 4×100-meter relay, helped extend the gap created by McLaughlin-Levrone. By the end, the American women had a nearly four-second advantage over their competitors, with Holmes anchoring the team to a new American record of 3:15.27.
Holmes, exhilarated by the crowd’s energy, was entrusted with the final leg, ensuring the gold despite her commanding lead. “My adrenaline was definitely pumping,” Holmes remarked, “but I had faith in my training and gave it my all.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s pivotal second leg also saw Jamaica drop out of contention, leaving the Netherlands and Great Britain to claim silver and bronze, respectively. Thomas acknowledged the need to earn the gold, emphasizing the competitive nature of the race.
Meanwhile, the men’s team achieved a historic feat moments later. Rai Benjamin, Christopher Bailey, Bryce Deadmon, and Vernon Norwood set an Olympic record of 2:54.43 in one of the fastest relays ever. Benjamin, in a thrilling final stretch, outpaced Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo to secure gold, becoming the first American to win both the hurdles and the 4×400-meter relay.
Quincy Wilson, a 16-year-old who ran earlier in the week, now holds the record as the youngest Olympic track-and-field gold medalist and the youngest male U.S. gold medalist since 1952. Wilson will head back to high school with an Olympic gold around his neck.