In the Olympic relay, Sha’Carri Richardson saves the US women, while the men advance easily and Jamaica misses out

SAINT-DENIS, France – SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Sha’Carri Richardson rescued the American women from a near-collapse Thursday in the Olympic 4×100 relay, besting a German runner in the anchor leg to help the Americans win their heat and advance to the gold medal race.

The men of the USA, who have not won a medal in this event since 2004, it advanced easily despite a small hiccup. In the strangest twist of all, it was Jamaica’s men who struggled with the stick and will miss out in Friday’s final.

In the women’s race, Richardson was about three steps behind after receiving the baton. Gabby Thomaswho previously almost disconnected in her conversation with Twanisha Terry.

This put Richardson in a difficult situation against Rebekka Haase, but the 100m silver medal winner was looking at Haase in the end. The USA won in 41.94 seconds, 0.19 ahead of the Germans.

The men’s team took victory in 37.47 seconds, despite an awkward first exchange. Christian Coleman passed to Fred Kerley with his right hand, while holding Kerley’s wrist with his left to make sure the stick was secure.

Kerley, Kyree King and Courtney Lindsey accelerated to victory from there, and the U.S. beat South Africa by nearly half a second. Two of the best sprinters in the country, Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek were absent from the lineup as they prepared for Thursday night’s 200-meter final.

Jamaica, who won all three Olympic relays when Usain Bolt was in contention, looked a very different team this time. A poor first exchange left them behind, and when 100m silver medalist Kishane Thompson took off too quickly and had to slow down to receive the stick for the anchor turn, Jamaica were cooked.

Thompson crossed the finish line in fourth place, leaving Jamaica’s women with the only chance in the 4×100 to add to the country’s only sprint medal so far in Paris.

None of that team’s best sprinters from the last decade – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson or Elaine Thompson-Herah – were on the team that finished third in their heat.

No team entered the qualifying race with a more loaded lineup than the North American women, but everything nearly fell apart when Thomas pulled away at the start of the third stage and had to slow down to receive the baton from Terry.

Both speedsters appeared to have their hands on the stick when Thomas crossed the yellow line marking the end of the passing zone, which would have made the pass legal.

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