Olympics: US Women Set 4x100m Record; Bolt Blasts Lewis
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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images(LONDON) — The U.S. women’s 4×100-meter relay team captured the gold in a record time of 40.82 seconds, demolishing the previous record of 41.37 set by East Germany in 1985. Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix and Bianca Knight opened up a big lead for Carmelita Jeter who ran the anchor leg and cruised to victory.
It is the latest record to fall in facilities that were designed to propel athletes to peak performances. The track was built to put spring in a runner’s step, and the pool was made to absorb waves and reduce drag.
For Oscar Pistorius, “the fastest man on no legs,” not even a track engineered for speed could help him and his South African teammates in the 4×400-meter relay. After being awarded a spot in the finals on appeal after a crash in the semis, South Africa finished in last place with the Bahamas winning gold and the U.S. taking silver.
Meanwhile, the fastest man with legs, Usain Bolt, took a break from relishing in his 200-meter victory to fire off a few choice words about Olympic legend Carl Lewis. Lewis has long voiced his suspicion of Bolt’s natural abilities and after he pointed out Jamaica’s relatively lax drug-testing program, Bolt shot back.
“I’m going to say something controversial right now. Carl Lewis, I have no respect for him,” Bolt said. “The things he says about the track athletes is really downgrading for another athlete to say something like that. I think he’s just looking for attention, really, because nobody really talks much about him.
“That was really sad for me when I heard the other day what he was saying. It was upsetting. I’ve lost all respect for him. All respect.”
On the hardwood, the U.S. Men’s basketball team defeated Argentina 109-83 and advanced to the finals, where they will face Spain. The team was cheered on by their secret weapon, 89-year-old Ray Lump from Long Island. Lump competed on the U.S. team that brought a gold medal home from London in 1948; he later went on to play for the Knicks.
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