By Paul Hof-Mahoney
August 2, 2024
The first track and field world record of Paris 2024 has fallen. That distinction goes to the mixed 4x400m relay team from the United States. The quartet of Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, and Kaylyn Brown went 3:07.41, taking over a second off the previous record set by Team USA in Budapest last year. Oh, this was just in the prelims, too!
Here’s what you need to know:
- Vernon Norwood, who was on the U.S. team that took bronze in this event in Tokyo, led things off. Fresh off a PB in the open 400m two weeks ago in London, the relay mainstay got the baton to Shamier Little in the lead with a sturdy 44.47 split.
- Little and third-leg Bryce Deadmon opened a big gap on the field with rock solid splits of 49.32 and 44.17, giving 19-year-old Kaylyn Brown a comfortable lead on anchor.
Photo by Justin Britton / @JustinBritton
- Brown, who set the collegiate record in the women’s 4x400m with her Arkansas teammates earlier this summer, was running largely solo for the entirety of her leg but was able to punch an American ticket to finals in world record fashion by navigating the oval in 49.45.
- The Americans were over three seconds faster than the next quickest qualifier, Team France in 3:10.60. The final is tomorrow at 2:55 p.m. ET. Teams are allowed to swap one runner, but they are not required to.
Here’s what they had to say:
“I thought I was locked in, but I had to realize I wasn’t where I was supposed to be… I took a little momentum into it so I could get it back and that was the little push I needed... to get me set up in the first 50.”
- Shamier Little on the minor adjustment she had to make before receiving the baton for her second leg.
Photo by Justin Britton / @JustinBritton
"We knew what it was. We knew what it would take to break the world record. Our job is just to come out and execute. Hopefully tomorrow we do it again."
- Vernon Norwood on Team USA’s confidence heading into this race and their plan for the final.
“This was completely different compared to 2021, just off the simple fact that we have fans here. I was running down the backstretch and last curve and I was like, ‘Damn, it’s kinda loud in here!’ That was definitely a great experience, I’m excited to see what the rest of the games have to bring.”
- Bryce Deadmon on the difference between these Games and 2021 in Tokyo
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Paul Hof-Mahoney
Paul is currently a student at the University of Florida (Go Gators) and is incredibly excited to be making his way into the track and field scene. He loves getting the opportunity to showcase the fascinating storylines that build up year-over-year across all events (but especially the throws).
