4x400m

Well, no surprises here. With Johnson and the Harrison brothers as part of their four the USA won by a country mile, as expected. Their only aim was to try and break the world record, which they didn't do.

In the race for silver and bronze, Nigeria, slightly surprisingly, pipped Jamaica for the silver medal.

Britain's four did themselves credit to reach the final, given their recent form. Jared Deacon, Daniel Caines, Jamie Baulch, and a nearly-fit Iwan Thomas finished sixth, suggesting our days of pushing the Americans in this event are numbered

Marion Jones made a tremendous impact on the race with a third leg that blew away the rest of the field, indicating that she could have a future at this distance should she tire of the 100m and 200m. After her leg, there was no way back for the rest of the field.

Britain, who had high hopes of a medal, got off to a bad start through Natascha Danvers and from that point on it was too much for Donna Fraser, Alison Curbishley and Ketherine Meery to make-up and they had to settle for sixth.

Silver medal behind the USA went to Jamaica, with Russia taking the bronze. Despite the best efforts of Cathy Freeman, who ran an electrifying final leg but was also playing catch-up, Australia finished fourth, to the disappointment of the crowd.