Lyles, Richardson anchor US Relay Gold

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Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson anchored their 4×100 teams to victory, giving the US their first sweep of the short relays at world championships since 2007 and a boost of confidence heading into next year’s Olympics.

Lyles finished three for three at these championships, with wins in the 100, the 200 and the 4×100.

He lifted three fingers and shouted “Three!” as he crossed the line to remind the world of what he had done, which was to become the first man to complete that triple at world’s since Usain Bolt in 2015.

Richardson’s celebrations was a little different. With the men on the track watching and Richardson still putting on the brakes after she crossed the line, an over-the-moon Christian Coleman came out to celebrate with a hug….or a high-five…or something. They collided, spun around and went tumbling to the ground.

Sha’Carri Richardson, of the United States, celebrates after she crosses the finish line to anchor her team to gold in the Women’s 4×100-meters relay final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. Associated Press/Martin Meissner

But Richardson popped right back up. No damage was done, and it will go down as one of many sweet memories on a night that was full of them.

The final exchange in the men’s race, between Brandon Carnes and Lyles, ended with Carnes using two hands to shove the baton into the American champion’s hands as he accelerated. Lyles got the baton in time and kept going.

He put Jamaican Rohan Watson in his rearview mirror to wrap up a run of 37.38 seconds, good for a .24 win over Italy and a .38 margin oner Watson and Co.

The women have had their share of trouble, too. All felt like ancient history by the time Richardson grabbed the baton from 200 silver medalist Gabby Thomas, took off and out-ran Jamaican 200 gold medallist Shericka Jackson to the finish line.

The US women finished in 41.03, .18 ahead of Jamaica, with Britain finishing third. Richardson will leave Budapest with her two golds, plus a bronze in the 200.