BEIJING, China, Sporting Alert – After watching Jamaica swept the 4x100m relays on Saturday, the United States are set to turn the tables on their rivals in the 4x400m relays.
The Americans were no match for the Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt led respective sprint relays teams on Saturday night in Beijing, and they will want to return the favour in the mile relays.
Both countries secure places in the final of the 4x400m during the morning session on Saturday to setup the showdown on the final day of competition at the IAAF World Championships on Sunday.
On the women’s side, USA cruised to the fastest time of the semi-finals, at 3:23.05 and they are the 1/4 favourites to go ahead and win the gold medal, according to Sky Bet.
And with the likes of Allyson Felix, the 400m champion, Sanya Richards-Ross and Francena McCorory expected to be in the lineup, and have all broken the 50-seconds barrier this season, it will be difficult to look past them winning the title.
Jamaica finished second to Nigeria in their semi-finals with a time of 3:23.62, but they are expected to make adjustments to the squad that completed in the heats, as Novlene Williams-Mills and Stephenie Ann McPherson will return for the medal race.
All four Jamaicans made the final of the open 400m, but on paper, the Americans should be stronger.
The Caribbean nation is at 3/1 to win the gold medal and upset the United States.
The full list has Nigeria at 25/1 to shock the two favourites and win the gold medal, while France and defending champions Russia are at 100/1. Ukraine are at 150/1 and Canada have odds of 200/1 to land the crown.
Women’s 4x400m
Gold Medal Winner
USA 1/4
Jamaica 3/1
Nigeria 25/1
Great Britain 25/1
France 100/1
Russia 100/1
Ukraine 150/1
Canada 200/1
On the men’s side, the United States, who were the fastest qualifiers from the semi-finals, are the 1/5 favourites for the gold medal. They are at 1/25 to win a medal.
Trinidad and Tobago, the second fastest qualifiers from the semis, at 2:58.67, are at 6/1 to secure the gold medal, with Jamaica coming in at 9/1 to win gold after posting 2:58.69 in the heats and looked comfortable in doing so.
Another strong medal contender are Great Britain, as after winning their semis with a relaxed run, they are at 18/1 to win the event outright and 2/1 to finish in the top three.
Completing the list are Belgium 33/1, France 66/1, Russia 100/1 and Cuba 125/1.
Men’s 4x400m
Gold Medal Winner
USA 1/5
Trinidad & Tobago 6/1
Jamaica 9/1
Great Britain 18/1
Belgium 33/1
France 66/1
Russia 100/1
Cuba 125/1
Jamaica women’s set a championships record of 41.07 seconds to win the 4x100m, while Bolt anchored the men’s team to a 37.36 seconds victory.
USA men messed up big time again on the anchor leg and were disqualified. They initially finished second to the Jamaicans before the official adjustment.
