Aug. 23, 2008

Trojan Allyson Felix ran the fastest leg for USA's winning 4x400m relay today (Aug. 23) at the Beijing Games as the Americans posted the fastest time in the world since 1993 to win the gold medal.

Mary Wineberg clocked 51.0 for the opening leg, positioning the U.S. just behind Russia, along with Jamaica and Great Britain. At the stagger break, Jamaica was in the lead, followed by Allyson Felix of USC running for the USA, and Russia. The 200m silver medalist, Felix moved into the lead around the curve and handed off to Monique Henderson, having clocked a blistering leg of 48.55. Henderson turned in a 50.06 split but was passed by Russia with 20 meters left in her leg. When Sanya Richards took the baton, she trailed Russia by approximately three meters. Biding her time, she waited until the final straight to move into first, turning in a 48.93 leg and crossing the line in 3:18.54, the fastest time in the world since 1993. Russia was second in 3:18.82 and Jamaica third in 3:20.40.

"We wanted it to end on a high note," said Felix. "We've had our ups and downs. We came out with a new attitude tonight - men and women - and it worked out. We had confidence in Sanya."

Felix is now a three-time Olympic medal winner having captured the silver medal in the 200m race at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics before earning gold today.

USC has now earned 19 individual medals at the Beijing Games.