There was initial confusion immediately after the race when Great Britain flashed up on the screen in first place next to the US flag. Richardson is famed for having the longest acrylic talons in women’s sprinting but cleanly clawed the baton from Gabby Thomas before anchoring a well-drilled USA team home. She looked completely dumbfounded by the mix-up before official results filtered through and Britain’s silver was confirmed.
“I was not going to let these ladies down,” said Neita. “When I got the baton from Amy, it was go-go-go. For us to be here with a silver medal at the Olympic Games, we are going on the podium and representing Team GB, we are so proud.”
Hunt, who was overwhelmed with tears after winning a medal at her first Olympics, added: “I’ve had these girls as my role models for so long. I’ve seen them in the relay team. I’m going to cry, it’s been a really long journey so it’s really special to come together with them and upgrade that bronze to silver.”
On a positive night for Britain’s men’s 4x100m relay team, Zharnel Hughes defied an unhappy hamstring to motor down the home straight and claim bronze, with the anchor runner later revealing a damaged sciatic nerve had caused bleeding on the muscle. “The guys knew what I was facing and they still trusted me,” said Hughes. “I’m super proud of them – without them I wouldn’t have been here today.”
Meanwhile, Amber Anning broke Christine Ohuruogu’s 11-year-old British record in the women’s 400m final but her time of 49.29sec was only enough for fifth place in a quick field won by Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic.
