World record for United States in mixed 4x400m in Paris
The action at the Stade de France had been going little over 75 minutes on Friday night when the United States set the first athletics world record of the Olympic Games in the mixed 4x400m relay rounds.
The relatively new event made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and here in Paris the United States team beat their own world record of 3:08.80 from 2023 with 3:07.41 in the first heat.
It is further proof that the new purple track at the Paris Games is quick. The record came amid a deafening noise, too, although it was mainly directed at the French team who snatched second place behind the Americans in a national record of 3:10.60 ahead of Belgium, who also clocked a national record of 3:10.74 with Jamaica also running a national mark of 3:11.64 in fourth.
The US team saw Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little and Bryce Deadmon on the first three legs before Kaylyn Brown anchored them home.
"We knew what it would take to break the world record," said Norwood. "Our job is just to come out and execute. Hopefully tomorrow we do it again."
Amandine Brossier brought home the baton for France as they made the final.
The national records kept coming, too, with Great Britain & Northern Ireland clocking 3:10.61 to win the second heat.
Sam Reardon, a late addition to the GB squad a few days ago, kicked things off followed by strong running from Laviai Nielsen, Alex Haydock-Wilson and Nicole Yeargin as the quartet held off a fast finishing Netherlands team who ran 3:10.81 followed by Italy with 3:11.59.
"I have dreamt of this moment for a long, long time," said Reardon. "I started this sport watching London 2012, so to lead out the nation in the 4x400s at the Olympic Games is a dream come true. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind week, getting called up and flying out to Paris straight away. I can’t really believe it to be honest with you."
Yeargin added: "They did the job so I just had to go. I couldn’t see anyone on the backstretch, so I was just running for my life. I couldn’t hear anyone as it was so loud."
There were high hopes for Ireland but they finished fifth in 3:12.67 and won't make the final.
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