How Okagbare’s team missed 4x100m medal

Nigeria women’s 4x100m team of Blessing Okagbare, Gloria Asumnu, Jennifer Madu and Agnes Osazuwa, failed to make it to the podium at the Rio Olympics despite its impressive run in the heats.

The team this time finished last in the final of the race decided in the early hours of Saturday returning in a time of 43.21 seconds after Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine and Canada, which placed fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

USA team after overcoming the baton exchange saga showed class in the final by powering to an emphatic defence of their Olympic title from the tight inside lane.

A quartet of Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, English Gardner and Tori Bowie proved too strong for Jamaica, anchored by two-time Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, to record a blistering 41.01 seconds, the second fastest time in history.

Jamaica, the 2013 and 2015 world champions, had to settle for a second successive Olympic silver – albeit in an impressive 41.36 secs, the fifth fastest time ever posted.

Bronze went to Great Britain, who trimmed 0.04 from their national record set in London last month to register 41.77secs and bank their first Olympic medal in this event since the 1984 Olympics.

It was Great Britain’s first Olympic medal in the women’s 4x100m relay since 1984.

Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita ran a British record of 41.77 seconds in Rio’s Olympic Stadium.

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson narrowly missed out on matching compatriot Usain Bolt’s sprint treble after her victories in the 100m and 200m.

“Wonderful experience. My first Olympics. Two golds, a silver, I can’t complain,” she said.