If not for a successful appeal after dropping the baton in the semifinal heats, the U.S. women's 4x100-meter relay team would not have even been able to pull off the incredible gold medal run they displayed on Friday night.
Running from lane 1, Team USA put on one of the most impressive relay runs in Olympic history. Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, English Gardner and Tori Bowie ran their relay in 41.01 seconds to earn a gold medal.
It's the second fastest time in 4x100 history, and it gives Felix the fifth gold medal of her career. No woman in track and field history has that many.
USA gets the GOLD with ease! pic.twitter.com/C7L60e7lr1
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 20, 2016
For the U.S. it's the second straight Olympic gold in the event. Jamaica -- the United States' only real rival -- made a true push in the final 50 meters, but Bowie had the speed to fend of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Jamaica took silver (41.36) and Great Britain earned bronze (41.77).
For Team USA, the win also steals back the crown, as Jamaica won the 4x100 at the 2015 world championships.
