Thursday, February 14, 2019

1956 Summer Olympics Women's 4x100 Relay

Although this race held true to real life form, there were a number of twists along the way.

The heavily favored Australians were steady but unspectacular in the first 150 meters while the Americans managed to match them them stride for stride at the end of the second leg. However, a disastrous beginning of the third leg dropped the Americans to third while the Brits and Aussies were running stride for stride.

With the world's best sprinter Elizabeth Cuthbert anchoring the last 100 meters, the Aussies had to like their chances. Enigmatically though, Cuthbert started her leg off terribly slow allowing Britain to take the lead. Just as it was looking as if the Brits may steal the gold from the Aussies, in Melbourne no less, Cuthbert showed her true talent with a blazing finish to claim the gold.

1. Australia       45.17
2. Great Britain   45.25
3. USA             45.34

4. Germany         45.52
5. Italy           45.61
6. USSR            45.66 

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