US on track in Women's 4 x 400m

(BEIJING, August 22) -- Defending Olympic champion the United States finished first in heat 2 of round one in the Women's 4x400m Relay in 3:22.45 to qualify for the final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Finishing second after the United States in 3:22.60 in the same heat to qualify is Athens 2004 bronze medalist Jamaica.

The United States and Jamaica will be joined in the final by Russia, who won heat 1 of round one in 3:23.71.

Other teams among the eight finalists in the Women's 4 x 400m Relay are Belarus, Nigeria, Cuba, Great Britain and Germany.

The final competition in the Women's 4x400m Relay will be held at the National Stadium at 8:40 p.m. (UTC/GMC +8) on Saturday, August 23.