Canada’s men’s 4×100-metre relay team claimed the Olympic gold medal in stunning fashion at Stade de France on Friday.
With Andre De Grasse running the anchor leg, the Canadians posted a winning time of 37.5 seconds in Friday’s final.
South Africa was second in 37.57 seconds, and Great Britain came in third in 37.61.
The Canadian team, which also included Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake and Brendon Rodney, improved on the silver medal they won in Tokyo.
“It feels pretty amazing. To be out with these guys, my brothers, I’ve been with them since the beginning of time, so it’s amazing,” said De Grasse.
“We talked about this moment for years. It feels good to bring it to fruition. I’m super grateful.”
Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake and Brendon Rodney claim the Olympic gold medal in the 4×100-metre relay with the winning time of 37.50.
The 29-year-old sprinter is now tied with swimmer Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s most decorated Olympian with seven career medals (two gold, two silver, three bronze).
Canadian Olympic champion Donovan Bailey had always remained confident De Grasse would deliver in these Games.
“Amazing run,” Bailey told CBC Sports after the race. “These guys are so familiar with each other.
“Andre has no major injuries or surgeries. He was going to continue to do amazing things. … I thrived in pressure situations and Andre did the same [in the 4x100m]. We’re cut from the same cloth.”
Not one member of Canada’s gold-medal relay team managed to qualify for an individual final in the 100 or 200 earlier this week. De Grasse had never missed a final — or a podium — in his six previous Olympic events in Rio and Tokyo.
“Individuals didn’t go our way but when we come together we’re a real strong team. You can never count us out, we feel great,” said Brown.
Canadian women finish 6th
Earlier on Friday, the Canadian women’s 4x100m relay team finished sixth.
Sade McCreath, Jacqueline Madogo, Marie-Eloise Leclair and Audrey Leduc ran a time of 42.69 seconds.
The U.S. won the gold medal in the Olympic women’s 4×100 meters relay on Friday, their 12th title in the event, after Britain botched their final exchange.
The United States wins the women’s 4×100-metre relay final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 while Canada places sixth.
The U.S. team of Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Paris Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson clocked 41.78 seconds after getting the baton around the track with no major mishaps. Britain were not so lucky.
Leading the U.S. through three legs, Amy Hunt struggled to get the baton into Daryll Neita’s hand in pouring rain at Stade de France. Neita lost all her momentum, but still brought Britain home in 41.85 for silver. Germany claimed bronze in 41.97.
Canada last earned a medal in the women’s event at the 1984 Los Angeles Games with the team of Angela Bailey, Angella Issajenko, France Gareau and Marita Payne.
Canada’s Sade McCreath, Jacqueline Madogo, Marie-Éloise Leclair and Audrey Leduc discuss finishing sixth in the women’s 4×100-metre relay final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.