24/01/2025
The 2012 London Olympics Men's 4x100m Relay final was one of the most thrilling and historic moments in track and field history. It featured a showdown between Jamaica and the United States, with Jamaica ultimately claiming victory in world-record fashion.
Key Details:
Date: August 11, 2012
Venue: Olympic Stadium, London
Teams: Jamaica, USA, and other nations, but the focus was on the rivalry between Jamaica and the USA.
Jamaica's Team:
Anchor: Usain Bolt
Other Members: Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake
Order:
Nesta Carter (1st leg)
Michael Frater (2nd leg)
Yohan Blake (3rd leg)
Usain Bolt (Anchor leg)
USA's Team:
Anchor: Ryan Bailey
Other Members: Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay
Order:
Trell Kimmons (1st leg)
Justin Gatlin (2nd leg)
Tyson Gay (3rd leg)
Ryan Bailey (Anchor leg)
The Race:
Jamaica and the USA were neck-and-neck for much of the race, with both teams executing near-perfect baton exchanges.
Yohan Blake (Jamaica) and Tyson Gay (USA) ran the third legs, and Blake handed off to Usain Bolt with a slight lead.
Usain Bolt, running the anchor leg for Jamaica, extended the lead dramatically, showcasing his unmatched speed and closing ability.
Jamaica crossed the finish line in a world-record time of 36.84 seconds, smashing the previous record of 37.04 seconds set by Jamaica at the 2011 World Championships.
The USA finished second with a time of 37.04 seconds, which was also under the previous world record but not enough to catch Jamaica.
Significance:
This victory solidified Jamaica's dominance in sprinting during that era, with Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, and their teammates showcasing incredible speed and teamwork.
It was also a historic moment for Usain Bolt, as he completed his "double-treble" by winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay at both the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.
The USA team, despite running a phenomenal race, had to settle for silver, highlighting the incredible depth of talent in sprinting at the time.
Aftermath:
The world record of 36.84 seconds set by Jamaica in London stood until it was broken by Jamaica again at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a time of 36.84 seconds (later disqualified due to a doping violation by Nesta Carter).
The race remains one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history, showcasing the pinnacle of speed, teamwork, and competition between two sprinting powerhouses.
This race is often remembered as a testament to Jamaica's sprinting dominance and Usain Bolt's legendary status as the greatest sprinter of all time.