Jamaica regained the women's 4x100 metres relay title in Moscow on Sunday at the World Athletics Championships with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce clinching an historic three-gold sweep.
The Jamaicans timed a championship record 41.29 seconds to take gold while France won silver (42.73sec) and defending champions the United States the bronze (42.75sec).
Gold medallists Carrie Russell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Schillonie Calvert and Nickiesha Wilson of Jamaica pose with the clock after setting a new championship record in the women’s 4x100m final. Pic/Getty Images
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The Jamaicans’ victory meant Fraser-Pryce became the first woman sprinter to win both the individual events (100/200m) and the 4x100m relay at a world championships.
On Thursday, the 26-year-old had become only the third woman to do the individual double joining Silke Gladisch (1987) and Katrin Krabbe (1991). However, Gladisch had to settle for silver with East Germany in the relay and Krabbe the bronze for Germany four years later.
Fraser-Pryce’s 200m victory was her first at this level and made easier by three-time champion Allyson Felix collapsing injured on the bend.
She said while she was delighted to have become the first woman to win the treble she hoped it would do more for the image of women’s sprinting.
“Sometime yes, I definitely get peeved,” said Fraser-Pryce, who is also the two-time Olympic 100m gold medallist.
“Women’s sprinting is something the sport should appreciate more. I’m glad women’s sprinting is taking the course it is.”
Fraser-Pryce said that the three titles were reward for intensive training and dedication. “Getting three gold medals is something I’ll really cherish,” she said.
We went out, had fun and I’ve now got three gold medals. It takes a lot of hard work, to stay committed and focus on what I wanted to achieve.”u00a0
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