{image-jamaican relay team_23082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}
Beijing, Aug 23: Jamaican sprinters smashed the world record to win the men's 4x100m relay at the Beijing Olympics on Friday, and Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba became the first woman to complete a long-distance golden double at one Games.
The Jamaican quartet, composed of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, clocked 37.10 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 37.40 set by the United States in 1993. It was Bolt's third gold medal in Beijing, after his world record-breaking victories in the 100m and 200m. "I asked the guys to give it (the relay gold) to me and they came through," said Bolt.
"We've always been the sprinters, but we're going to tell them (the world) we're taking over forever, forever," he added.
Trinidad and Tobago took silver in 38.06 and Japan won bronze in 38.15. The U.S. had dropped the baton in the heats and failed to enter the final.
But in stark contrast, the Jamaican women stumbled on the second changeover in the 4x100m relay, allowing Russia to win a surprise gold in 42.31 seconds.
Dibaba was equally impressive on the track as the 23-year-old ran an fast final lap to win the 5,000m in 15 minutes 41.40 seconds.
"I'm very happy," said Dibaba. "I will remember the Beijing Games forever because I won two gold medals here."
The Jamaican quartet, composed of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, clocked 37.10 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 37.40 set by the United States in 1993. It was Bolt's third gold medal in Beijing, after his world record-breaking victories in the 100m and 200m. "I asked the guys to give it (the relay gold) to me and they came through," said Bolt.
"We've always been the sprinters, but we're going to tell them (the world) we're taking over forever, forever," he added.
Trinidad and Tobago took silver in 38.06 and Japan won bronze in 38.15. The U.S. had dropped the baton in the heats and failed to enter the final.
But in stark contrast, the Jamaican women stumbled on the second changeover in the 4x100m relay, allowing Russia to win a surprise gold in 42.31 seconds.
Dibaba was equally impressive on the track as the 23-year-old ran an fast final lap to win the 5,000m in 15 minutes 41.40 seconds.
"I'm very happy," said Dibaba. "I will remember the Beijing Games forever because I won two gold medals here."
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