Team USA gave the blockbuster IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 a fitting end, clinching three more gold medals to stamp their authority in the showpiece event.
The final day of the competition at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday witnessed another full house as Qatar successfully delivered one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Qatar Olympic Committee President and Chairman of Local Organising Committee for Doha Worlds, H E Sheikh Joan bin Hamad Al Thani handed over the baton for World Championships Eugene 2021 to Oregon governor Kate Brown, bringing an end to 10-day championships, which concluded with a spectacular light show at Qatar’s iconic venue.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe described the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 as the best in history in terms of the quality and depth of performances produced by the athletes, representing more than 200 countries.
As many as 43 countries had won medals while 21 area records were broken – double the number from 2017. In addition, 86 national records were also set at the KIS.
“We are proud of the fact we reach more countries than any other sport,” Coe said yesterday
“These performances are incredible but credit must also go to the facilities and conditions provided by the host country. Doha has created conditions on the field of play and in the warm up that are unsurpassed,” he added.
US stamp authority again at Worlds
Team USA - which comprised 141 athletes and was expected to dominate in Doha - lived up to expectations and clinched a total of 14 gold, 11 silver and 4 bronze medals to top the event by miles.
“We put out the results. There are gold medals everywhere on the team,” American sprinter Noah Lyles said as he hailed the overall performance.
Kenya was second on the table with 5 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze medals while Jamaica sans retired great Usain Bolt finished third on the table with a total of 11 medals including 3 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals.
The home fans also celebrated a gold medal by high jump hero Mutaz Essa Barshim and a bronze by star hurdler Abderrahman Samba.
4x400m sweep for Americans on last day
The last day featured seven finals, with the Americans sweeping the 4x400m relay races and women’s 100m hurdles title.
Team USA was outstanding in last night’s marquee events, setting the world leading times in both men and women’s 4x400m relay races.
They won the 4x400m men’s relay race in 2:56.69, thanks to consistent run by the quartet with Fred Kerley going first and setting the pace at 43.44. Michael Cherry (44.63) and Will London (44.63) set the perfect platform for Rai Benjamin, who finished the race after taking just 44.19 to finish ahead of Jamaicans, who got silver with 2:57.90. Belgium took the bronze medal with 2:58.78.
US also dominated the women’s 4x400m relay as they powered to gold medal with a time of 3:18.92.
The stage for victory was set by Phyllis Francis, who sprinted 49.51 to give early lead to USA, before stars Sydney McLaughlin and Dalilah Muhammad extended the advantage over closest Polish rivals. Wadeline Jonathas sealed the title after a comfortable run.
Poland got silver medal with their national record of 3:21.89 while Jamaicans got bronze medal in 3:22.37.
Earlier, Nia Ali, mother of two, clinched the first medal for Americans last night when she ran her lifetime best of 12.34 to win women’s 100m hurdles gold. It was Nia’s maiden outdoor title after a couple of indoor crowns.
“It’s super special. I never won a world outdoor championship. To be able to perform at my best I needed it most. I am ecstatic,” said Nia who celebrated with her children
“Shelly-Ann (Fraser-Pryce) and Allyson (Felix), all the ladies who have come back from child birth are surely an inspiration for me and I am so excited to be able to pull off the world title,” she added.
