Day 14: Jamaica wins relay in world record, Dibaba completes long-distance double

Source: Xinhua | 08-23-2008 07:49

BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Jamaican sprinters smashed the world record to win the men's 4x100m relay at the Beijing Olympics on Friday, and Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba became the first woman to complete a long-distance golden double at one Games.

    The Jamaican quartet, composed of Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, clocked 37.10 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 37.40 set by the United States in 1993. It was Bolt's third gold medal in Beijing, after his world record-breaking victories in the 100m and 200m.

Usain Bolt (C) of Jamaica competes during the men's 4x100m relay  final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest,  during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008.  The Jamaican team won the title with 37.10 seconds and set a new  world record.(Xinhua Photo)

"I asked the guys to give it (the relay gold) to me and they came through," said Bolt.

    "We've always been the sprinters, but we're going to tell them (the world) we're taking over forever, forever," he added.

    Trinidad and Tobago took silver in 38.06 and Japan won bronze in 38.15. The U.S. had dropped the baton in the heats and failed to enter the final.