The United States made a powerful statement in the men’s 4x100m relay at Paris 2024, posting the fastest time in the heats despite the absence of 100m champion Noah Lyles, who is focusing on the 200m final later Thursday.
The U.S. quartet, consisting of Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kyree King, and Courtney Lindsey, dominated the first heat with a time of 37.47 seconds. This performance sets them up as strong contenders to defend the gold they won at the World Championships last year, making up for their absence from the Tokyo 2020 final.
South Africa delivered an impressive performance to secure second place in the first heat with 37.94 seconds. Great Britain, who finished fourth in the World Championships, also advanced to the final with a third-place finish and a time of 38.04 seconds.
Italy, the reigning Olympic champions, finished fifth in the stacked first heat with a time of 38.07 seconds, leaving them anxiously awaiting confirmation of their place in the final.
In the second heat, the People’s Republic of China, bronze medalists from Tokyo 2020, took first place with 38.24 seconds, followed by hosts France (38.34) and Canada (38.39), all of whom secured spots in the final.
Japan and Italy advanced as the two fastest teams outside of the top three in their respective heats, while Jamaica, despite featuring 100m silver medalist Kishane Thompson, fell short with a fifth-place finish in the second heat and did not qualify.
The men’s 4x100m relay final is scheduled for 19:45 local time on Friday, shortly after the women’s final. Promising a thrilling conclusion to a day of high-stakes athletics at the Stade de France.
