2017 produced many momentous moments, courageous comebacks, and fearless feats in the sporting arena. Ranging from Barcelona’s staggering Champions League revival against PSG to New England Patriots’ stunning Super Bowl win. However, if you’re after 37.47 seconds of breath-taking speed, unrelenting drama and edge-of-your suspense then look no further than Great Britain’s triumph in the men’s 4x100m relay at the IAAF World Championships in London.
In the build-up to the eagerly anticipated race the spotlight was permanently pinned on the legendary Usain Bolt who was looking to strike gold in the final race of what had been a truly sensational career in the sport. But, for once, it was not the Jamaican’s night. Instead the Great One made way for the British quartet of Chijindu Ujah, Adam Gemili, Daniel Talbot, and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake who passionately soaked up the home atmosphere then produced the relay of their lives.
Few fancied the British boys to rip up the narrative and blitz to glory on home soil. Afterall they not only had to shock Bolt’s Jamaica - a country who had won the last four editions of the race - but also the United States who had triumphed more than any other country (seven) since the inauguration of the Championship’s in 1983.
Britain led from the gun as Ujah, in the seventh lane, bolted out of the blocks, passing the baton onto Gemli who ripped up the back straight before sending through Talbot. Talbot tore around the bend, handing over to Mitchell-Blake on the anchor leg, chased by Bolt and America’s Christian Coleman. Bolt heartbreakingly pulled up injured, as Mitchell-Blake impressively held off the challenge of the incoming Coleman, edging it on the line!
It was a simply phenomenal performance which had people off their feet, both in the stadium and watching on their various devices at home. For years Britain have been plagued by poor baton exchanges, but on this occasion they executed their deliveries to perfection in a time of 37.47 - setting both a British and European record, while it represented the third fastest team effort in history, behind Jamaica and the US.
Furthermore it was GB’s first success in 16 editions of the World Championships - two Silvers and five Golds - as they became only the second European nation to succeed, following France’s triumph in 2005.
