Events Encyclopedia Entry 1776727384
Sports

Events Encyclopedia Entry 1776727384

Olympia Champion
Sports History Editor
3 views 3 min read Jun 30, 2026

Overview

The Women's 4x100m Relay Event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a highly anticipated and closely contested competition that brought together the world's fastest women to battle for gold. The event, held on August 6, 2021, at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, was a culmination of months of intense training and preparation by the world's top athletes. The competition was marked by record-breaking performances, shocking upsets, and a display of athleticism that left spectators in awe.

The Women's 4x100m Relay Event is a staple of the Olympic Games, with a rich history dating back to the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. The event has been a platform for women to showcase their speed, agility, and teamwork, with many legendary athletes having made their mark on the sport through this event. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics' Women's 4x100m Relay Event was no exception, with a talented field of athletes vying for the top spot on the podium.

History/Background

The Women's 4x100m Relay Event has its roots in the early 20th century, when women's track and field events were first introduced at the Olympic Games. The event made its debut at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, with the United States winning the first-ever gold medal in the event. Since then, the Women's 4x100m Relay Event has become a staple of the Olympic Games, with many legendary athletes having made their mark on the sport through this event.

Over the years, the Women's 4x100m Relay Event has undergone significant changes, with the introduction of new rules and regulations aimed at promoting fair play and athlete safety. In 2010, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) introduced a new set of rules governing the event, which included the use of electronic timing and the implementation of a "false start" rule. These changes have helped to ensure that the event remains competitive and exciting, while also promoting a safe and fair environment for athletes.

Key Information

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics' Women's 4x100m Relay Event was a highly competitive and closely contested competition that brought together the world's top female sprinters. The event was won by the United States, with a world record-breaking time of 40.84 seconds. The American team, consisting of Javianne Oliver, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson, and Briana Williams, delivered a dominant performance, leaving their rivals in their wake.

Other notable performances in the event included a silver medal finish by Jamaica, with a time of 41.02 seconds, and a bronze medal finish by Great Britain, with a time of 41.09 seconds. The event was marked by a number of record-breaking performances, including a new world record in the heats, set by the United States team with a time of 41.02 seconds.

Significance

The Women's 4x100m Relay Event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a significant moment in the history of women's track and field, showcasing the world's top female sprinters in a thrilling and closely contested competition. The event highlighted the athleticism, speed, and teamwork of the world's top athletes, while also promoting a sense of unity and solidarity among the competitors.

The event also marked a significant milestone in the career of Elaine Thompson-Herah, who won her second gold medal of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, following her victory in the Women's 100m event. Thompson-Herah's performance in the Women's 4x100m Relay Event cemented her status as one of the world's top female sprinters, and her legacy as a champion will be remembered for years to come.