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US Finishes Strong, Sweeps 1600 Relays

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 23, 2008 8:59 AM CDT

(AP) – The US men's and women's teams swept the 1600-meter relays today, ending a string of frustrations for the Americans that included dropped batons in two earlier races. For the women, Sanya Richards anchored her team in a come-from-behind victory over Russia in 3:18.54, the world's fastest time since 1993. On the men's side, Jeremy Wariner crossed the line 12 strides ahead of Christopher Brown of the Bahamas, finishing in 2:55.39 to break the Olympic record by 0.35 second.

"To end it with an Olympic record after everything those guys have been through, that shows you they care about representing America," said US men's coach Bubba Thornton. "They wanted to end it with a good dose of good ol' American apple pie."

United States' LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, David Neville and Jeremy Wariner, from left,  celebrate their gold.
United States' LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, David Neville and Jeremy Wariner, from left, celebrate their gold.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
United States' Sanya Richards, 2nd right, Mary Wineberg, 2nd left, Monique Henderson, right,  and Sanya Richards celebrate winning the gold in the women's 4x400-meter final today.
United States' Sanya Richards, 2nd right, Mary Wineberg, 2nd left, Monique Henderson, right, and Sanya Richards celebrate winning the gold in the women's 4x400-meter final today.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
United States' Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards, Monigue Henderson and Mary Wineberg, from right, celebrate winning the women's 4x400-meter final today in Beijing.
United States' Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards, Monigue Henderson and Mary Wineberg, from right, celebrate winning the women's 4x400-meter final today in Beijing.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
United States' Sanya Richards, left, celebrates winning the women's 4x400-meter final today. At center is Russia's  Anastasia Kapachinskaya.
United States' Sanya Richards, left, celebrates winning the women's 4x400-meter final today. At center is Russia's Anastasia Kapachinskaya.   (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
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