Bahamas beats US and Wins relay gold

The Bahamas team celebrates Gold

30 September 2000

The Bahamas 4 x 100m relay team powered to gold Saturday in 41.95, ahead of Jamaica which finished in 42.13, and the United States, which clocked in at 42.20. It was the first gold medal in Olympic track and field history for the Bahamas.

Anchor Debbie FERGUSON was the only new addition to the Bahamian team, which won silver in Atlanta. The other members were 100m finalists Sevatheda FYNES and Chandra STURRUP, and 200m silver medallist Pauline DAVIS-THOMPSON.

The victory by the Bahamas ended the winning streak of the US, which had taken the gold in the last four Olympics. The US was relegated to third due to a combination of some fine Caribbean running and some injuries. With Inger MILLER and Gail DEVERS missing, anchor Marion JONES was always likely to receive the baton trailing. It was a question of how much ground she would have to make up.