By Kehinde Okeowo
The track and field events at the Tokyo Olympics are gradually coming to the end with the penultimate day producing some of the most memorable times of the game.
With Elaine Thompson-Herah, breaking a 33-year-old Olympic women’s 100 meters record and several other records gone, athletics fans looked forward to the relays for more entertainment and moments of magic.
In the 4×100 women’s relay, Jamaica won a field that contained, United States, Germany, Republic of China, Switzerland, France, Netherlands and Great Britain to win the Olympic gold in 41.02 seconds, a time just outside the World and Olympics records.
The Jamaican quartet which comprised Briana Williams, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann, Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, won d race beating the best time of 41.55 seconds, which was the quickest time in the event this season and set by Great Britain in the heats.
Their arch-rival, the United States of America, came second and took the silver medal with a time of 41.45 seconds, while Great Britain came third and won the bronze medal having returned a time of 41 88 seconds.
In the male category, Italy surprised everyone yet again, by coming from back to beat Great Britain who was leading the men’s 4×100 meters relay race to win the gold medal with a time of 37.50 seconds and set a new national record in the process.
Great Britain had to settle for the silver medal has been beating on the line by Italy with a time of 37.51 seconds. Canada came third and won the bronze medal with a time of 37.70 seconds.
While Tokyo Olympics is expected to come to a close on Sunday , August 8, 2021, the track and filed events will end tommorow , Saturday August 7, with the 4×400 men and women’s relays gold medals still at stake.