EVENT REPORT – WOMEN’s 4×400 Metres Final

DOHA, March 14, 2010 – Russia had won the past eight 4×400m titles at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, and so had a proud tradition to uphold. But the USA, buoyed by individual champion Debbie Dunn and two-time World 200m Champion Allyson Felix, were out to spoil their party and put an end to Russia’s run.

USA wanted to let their opposition know that they meant business, and so put Dunn on the first leg. She handed over to Deedee Trotter in first with a 51.25 split, but Jamaica’s changeover was slightly smoother as Bobby-Gaye Wilkins passed to Clora Williams, who stole a march on the USA and edged into first.

Trotter was slightly cut up half way through, but she kept her composure and moved past Williams with 100m to go, splitting 52.55 to hand over to Natasha Hastings. Meanwhile Russia were in third and had moved closer to Jamaica, thanks to the experienced Natalya Nazarova.

A good run on leg three by Kseniya Vdovina put Russia ahead of Jamaica, as Hastings maintained USA’s lead with a 52.67 run. All Allyson Felix had to do on the final leg was hold on for the victory. Try as she might, individual silver medallist Tatyana Firova could not quite manage it and Felix – with a 50.87 – brought the gold home, clocking an American record of 3:27.24.

Russia had to settle for the silver (3:27.44) and Jamaica took bronze, also setting a national record of 3:28.49. Behind the leading trio, the Czech Republic and Great Britain had been locked in their own battle. The Czech Republic was ahead on the first leg, before Britain moved ahead on legs two and three. But a great final leg from Zuzana Hejnová gave the Czech team the edge as they finished fourth in 3:30.05 to Britain’s 3:30.29.

“My team-mates made my job easy,” said Felix. “I just wanted to make my run clear and smooth to secure the win. It was very competitive but I tried to run conservatively to make sure I could have a strong break for home.”