Olympian Aaliyah Butler Helps U.S. Set Championship Record in 4x400m Relay, With Columbus Ties

By Staff                                                                                                                         Team USA delivered a dominant performance to capture gold in the women’s 4x400-meter relay at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday, setting a championship record of 3 minutes, 16.61 seconds on a rain-soaked track at Japan National Stadium.

The victory, highlighted by splits under 50 seconds from every American runner, further cemented U.S. dominance in the event. The quartet of Isabella Whittaker, Lynna Irby-Jackson, Aaliyah Butler and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone each ran the fastest time of their leg.

Whittaker opened with a 50.12 before handing to Irby-Jackson, who extended the lead with a blazing 48.71-second leg. Butler widened the gap with a 49.96 split before McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic and world 400m champion, anchored in 47.82 to seal the win.

“It was just an incredible race,” McLaughlin-Levrone said. “My last lap felt like a victory lap for us. I just wanted to finish strong because you never know who is behind, chasing you.”

The Americans shaved one-tenth of a second off the previous championship record set in Stuttgart in 1993, marking the fifth-fastest time in history for the event. Jamaica claimed silver in 3:19.25 and the Netherlands bronze in 3:20.18.

The win marked redemption for Team USA after a disqualification in Budapest two years ago for an out-of-zone baton exchange. It also adds to their Olympic gold earned in Paris last year. Since their first world title in 1993, the U.S. has now claimed 11 of the past 17 championships in the event.

Irby-Jackson, who ran the fastest split of her career, said the team’s bond carried them to gold. “To just be able to bring the gold medal home, being part of the legacy of the USA's women’s 4x400m relay, is incredible.”

For Columbus, Ga., the victory carried special significance. Third-leg runner Butler, who also competed in the Paris Olympics, is the niece of Courier Eco Latino publisher Wane Hailes and his wife Valerie.