The U.S. women’s 4×100-meter relay team took advantage of their second chance on Thursday.
They raced to a 41.77 in their re-run of the 4×100 semifinal, knocking China out of the final.
The team of Morolake Akinosun, Allyson Felix, English Gardner and Tianna Bartoletta dropped the baton in their qualifying heat on Thursday morning. However, Felix was bumped by a Brazilian athlete at the second exchange as she attempted to hand off to Gardner.
Felix made sure to grab the baton and deliver it to Gardner so they could finish the race, and the team immediately protested the result.
They were given a chance to re-run a solo race with the goal of running 42.70 or faster to make the final.
They delivered, running 41.77 in Lane 2 on a solo run around the track.
That ended up being the fastest qualifying time of the day.
The U.S. will have a chance to defend their title in the final on Friday night in Rio. They won at the London Games in a world-record time of 40.82, defeating the Jamaican team.
It won’t be easy to beat Jamaica again — Elaine Thompson won both the 100 and 200 in Rio — but at least Team USA has a shot.
