The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Inspired Bol leads Dutch mixed team to relay glory
FEMKE BOL ran a stunning last lap to lead the Netherlands to victory in the Olympic 4x400 metres mixed relay on Saturday, glorious redemption for the 24- yearold who fell just before the line in the same race at last year's World Championships.
Bol got the baton in fourth place, around 20 metres behind the leading United States, but ate up the ground in a spectacular 47.93 seconds leg before passing American Kaylyn Brown just before the line.
"I just went for it," Bol said. "We just wanted a medal this time, we didn't think it would be gold, just a medal. Well, we got gold and are the Olympic champions. It is absolutely crazy for a small country like ours."
The Dutch team of Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink and Bol clocked three minutes 7.43 seconds, missing the world record time the Americans set in Friday's heats by just twohundredths of a second.
The U. S. took the silver medal in 3: 07.74 and Britain claimed bronze in 3: 08.01.
"We did exactly what we needed to do," said Vernon Norwood, who ran the lead- off leg for the U. S. "We are still world record holders and I can't be more proud of us."
The 24- year- old Bol, asked what was going through her mind rounding the bend into the home straight while the jam- packed Stade de France crowd cheered her on at an ear- splitting level, said: "Just keep going, keep going.
"And my general anger from ( the worlds in) Budapest. That and my teammates cheering me. And the atmosphere in this stadium is absolutely incredible. It's crazy. So everything together."
Victory was within the Netherlands' grasp at last year's worlds before Bol crashed spectacularly to the track. She bounced back to win the 400 hurdles in Hungary, however, and le d the Dutch women's 4x400 team to victory.
Lafond wins triple jump
Thea Lafond made history for the Caribbean island nation of Dominica by winning gold in the triple jump on Saturday to claim the country's first- ever Olympic medal.
Jamaica's Shanieka Ricketts took silver and American Jasmine Moore claimed bronze.