US men, women win 4 x 400m gold medals

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Sydney: Michael Johnson won his second gold of the Sydney Olympics on Saturday as he anchored the United States to the 4x400 metres relay title.

The Americans timed two minutes 56.35 seconds to beat Nigeria and Jamaica. Johnson, who won the 400 metres individual title, was deprivedof the chance of a third gold when he failed to qualify for the 200 metres after an injury at the US trials.

Meanwhile, Marion Jones ran a sizzling third leg for the United States in the women's 4 x 400 metres relay final to set her team up for victory and win herself a third gold medal.

Jones, the Olympic 100 and 200 metres champion, clocked an unofficial 49.57 for the third leg after a conservative first half and electrifying final 200 metres.

She handed the baton over to La Tasha Colander-Richardson for the final leg 15 metres ahead of second-placed Jamaica. Colander-Richardson had only to hold to win and although Lorraine Graham strove valiantly to close the gap the deficit was too great.

The defending champions clocked three minutes 22.62 seconds, Jamaica were second in 3:22.25 and Russia took the bronze in 3:23.46.

Jones, her face wreathed in smiles, jogged a victory lap with her team-mates Richardson, Jearl Miles-Clark and Monique Hennagan.



(c) Reuters Limited.