ONE MINUTE TO GOLD On August 10 2012 four US sprinters prepared to race the 4x100-meter women’s relay They faced seven other teams inside London Olympic Stadium The Jamaican team was the US team’s biggest competition In a 4x100-meter relay teams have four runners who each sprint 100 meters London Olympic Stadium held approximately 80,000 people during the 2012 Olympics 5 CHAPTER 1
To switch runners teammates pass a baton or small tube between them The US team had lost the last two Olympic races by fumbling or dropping the baton They were determined not to make that mistake a third time The starting gun fired Tianna Madison exploded from the starting block She bolted around the track’s first curve She passed Jamaican gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce In a perfect exchange Madison handed the baton to Allyson Felix Felix took the lead Then she passed the baton to Bianca Knight Knight flew down the track She smoothly handed 6
Tianna Madison jumps off the block during the 4x100-meter relay at the 2012 Olympics off the baton to the anchor Carmelita The Jet Jeter took off In a blink she crossed the finish line in triumph The US women had won gold They even set a world record for the 4x100-meter relay 7
