In a thrilling start to the Olympics, Team USA's mixed 4×400-meter relay team shattered the world record with a time of 3:07.41 during the event's first round on Friday evening. The squad, comprising Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Kaylyn Brown, and Bryce Deadmon, delivered a dominant performance that solidified their reputation as the world's fastest sprinters.
Little, who ran the second leg of the relay, expressed her confidence in the team's potential. "I always knew we were going to run fast," she said. "We talked about needing a record to win, and it happened even in our prelim."
Norwood initiated the race, placing the team in third, but Little quickly took the lead, creating a significant gap that no other team could close. Despite a near-mishap with the baton exchange, Little's quick thinking ensured a smooth handoff. Reflecting on the moment, Little humorously remarked, "Let's just say we did it like that."
Deadmon maintained the lead during his leg, handing off to Brown, who completed the record-breaking run, finishing more than 40 meters ahead of the second-place team. Deadmon admitted he was unaware of the record-breaking pace until after his sprint. "I passed it off to Kaylyn, and when it said 'world record,' I was like, 'Oh wow. That's crazy.'"
The team was aware of the previous world record time of 3:08.80, set by Team USA at the world championships last year. Now, they have their sights set on achieving another world record and securing an Olympic gold medal in the relay finals on Saturday night. Teams from the Netherlands and Italy, who placed second and third in the first round, will also compete in the finals.
