Tokyo (AFP)

Like in a dream.

The American "Dream Team" (Sydney McLaughlin, Allyson Felix, Dalilah Muhammad, Athing Mu) flew over the women's 4x400m relay at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, where Felix further strengthened his place in the athletics legend with the 11th podium of his immense career.

For the last session at the Olympic stadium before the close of the Olympics, the United States took out the heavy artillery to avoid any unpleasant surprises after biting the dust on the men's and women's 4x100m relays.

By aligning McLaughlin, holder of the world record in the 400 m hurdles, the icon Felix, Muhammad, Olympic champion on the low hurdles in 2016 then 2nd this year, and finally Mu, crowned on 800 in Japan, they did not have all of them. ways not much to worry about.

Their show of force lived up to this four-star cast.

Victorious in 3 min 16 sec 85, the US armada left no chance to its opponents, setting the 5th fastest time in history and the fastest since 1993. As for Felix, she confirmed her status as Queen of the Games , the day after his 3rd place over 400m.

The most medalist female athlete at the Olympics, the Californian overtakes another monument, Carl Lewis, and is positioned at 35 years old just behind the Finnish Paavo Nurmi (12 medals between 1920 and 1928) in the annals of the discipline.

The American Allyson Felix, in the 4x400m relay, August 7, 2021 at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Javier SORIANO AFP

“I attacked this relay in peace with myself, just wanting to give it my all, she explained. This team was really special, because we're not all 400m runners. It was cool. to close the chapter of my Games career with them. It was incredible. I loved it. "

The icing on the cake, the Americans also won the men's 4x400m relay (Michael Cherry, Michael Norman, Bryce Deadmon, Rai Benjamin) in 2 min 55 sec 70. A small revenge while the men did not win any race individually at Tokyo.

The Americans Michael Norman, Michael Cherry, Rai Benjamin and Bryce Deadmon, Olympic 4x400m relay champions, on August 7, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games celebrate after winning the men's 4x400m relay final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. Jonathan NACKSTRAND AFP

It is also a huge feat achieved by Sifan Hassan (10,000m) and Jakob Ingebrigtsen (1,500m).

In the absence of an insane hat-trick over 1,500m-5,000m-10,000m, Hassan (28) still leaves the Games with his first two Olympic titles.

- The advent of Ingebrigtsen -

At the end of a grueling race, the Dutch, winner of the 5000m on Monday and 3rd in the 1500m on Friday, had the luxury of disgusting over 10,000 m (29 min 55 sec 32) the Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey (3rd) , who had snatched the world distance record from him in June (29 min 01 sec 03) and led a hellish pace from the 3rd km.

Dutch cross-country skier Sifan Hassan wins over 10,000m at the Tokyo Games, August 7, 2021 Jewel SAMAD AFP

Hassan did not, however, come out completely unscathed from the infernal program (6 events) that she imposed on herself during these Games.

In the stifling heat of the Japanese capital, with a humidity level approaching 90%, she finished the race totally exhausted, collapsing on the track at the finish and taking a very long time to get up, helped by the little ones. ice packs on face and body to cool off.

As for Jakob Ingebrigtsen, he struck a great blow by winning his first Olympic victory over 1500 m by dominating the world champion Timothy Cheruiyot with the key to the European record (3 min 28 sec 32).

The Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Olympic 1500m champion, on August 7, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Jewel SAMAD AFP

The Norwegian prodigy (20), who revealed himself in 2018 with a 1500m-5000m double at the Euro in Berlin at only 17 years old, had decided to focus exclusively on the 1500m, despite a convincing victory over 5000m against the future Olympic gold medalist and world record holder, Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, in June in Florence in the Diamond League.

His choice turned out to be wise.

Well wedged behind Cheruiyot, the youngest of the Ingebrigtsen siblings accelerated 150 m from the line to leave the Kenyan in place and grab the gold medal.

"It's the greatest thing you can accomplish as an athlete, it's amazing. I'm really proud and happy. It's also for my family and my brothers, I wouldn't be at this level without them It is also their achievement, "said the Norwegian.

The Indian Neeraj Chopra, Olympic javelin champion, August 7, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Games Ben STANSALL AFP

The evening was also marked by a javelin sensation where the grand favorite Johannes Vetter, 2nd performer in history, failed in 9th place in a competition won by Neeraj Chopra (87.58 m), the first Indian Olympic champion. athletics.

© 2021 AFP