In a strange scene in a sparsely filled Olympic Stadium, the U.S. women's 4x100 relay stepped on the track and ran a solo time trial.
The time, 41.77, was more than good enough to earn the USA a trip to the final Friday night. Indeed, it was the top qualifier.
The USA dropped the baton on the second exchange on Thursday morning in the qualifying heats, knocking them out of the final. However, Allyson Felix said she was bumped by a Brazilian runner right before she got to the zone, and replays confirmed. Brazil was disqualified, and a U.S. appeal was upheld.
Here it is, the new finalists. pic.twitter.com/ug7ifjSO1J
— Joe Fleming (@ByJoeFleming) August 18, 2016
But the Americans could not simply be advanced to the final on the eight-lane Rio track, so they ran alone with a target time of 42.70 ... the time of the eighth-place qualifier from the morning heats, China.
Initially it was suggested that there might be a second run-off between China and Canada, who both clocked 42.70, but the IAAF took the time out to the thousandths, which places Canada seventh.
China appealed the USA's reinstatement, but it was denied.
Tianna Bartoletta, Felix, Gardner and Morolake Akinosun were the U.S. quartet.
