US Women Shine in Olympic 4x100 Relay, Men Disqualified

— The U.S. men's 4x100 relay team faced disappointment at the Olympics, extending their medal drought to 20 years after being disqualified for an illegal baton exchange. The incident occurred when Christian Coleman collided with teammate Kenny Bednarek during the transition between the first and second legs. This marks a continued struggle for the U.S. in this event, with their last legitimate medal in 2012 being stripped due to a doping violation. In contrast, Canada celebrated a significant victory as Andre De Grasse anchored his team to gold with a time of 37.50 seconds, marking his first medal in Paris and his seventh Olympic medal overall. The Canadian team’s performance stood out amid the U.S. men's team's misfortune, highlighting the competitive nature of the relay event. On a brighter note for the U.S., Sha’Carri Richardson secured her first Olympic gold medal in the women's 4x100 relay, leading her team to victory with a time of 41.78 seconds. Overcoming a challenging start, Richardson's strong finish allowed the U.S. to edge out Britain by just 0.07 seconds, despite the latter's struggles with baton exchanges in rainy conditions. Gabby Thomas, who also won gold in the 200 meters, contributed significantly to the women's team's success. The improved baton exchange between her and teammate Terry was crucial, allowing Richardson to make a powerful comeback from third place, ultimately sealing the victory with a decisive sprint to the finish line.