Athletics-Felix returns to help US women into worlds relay final

Allyson Felix helped the United States through to the 4×400 metres relay final in a surprise return to Hayward Field on Saturday, days after running what was supposed to be her farewell race at the World Championships.

The seven-times Olympic gold medallist hopped back on a plane to Eugene, Oregon, after she was called up to the preliminary round of the women’s event, following her bronze-medal performance in the mixed relay last week. The 36-year-old, who collected her first Olympic medal 18 years ago at the Athens Games, padded her team’s lead on the second lap as the United States finished first and Britain took second.

The United States will aim to secure a third successive worlds gold in Sunday’s final. France finished with the third qualifying spot in the heat.

Jamaica established an enormous lead by the halfway mark and won their heat by more than three-and-a-half seconds. Belgian anchor Camille Laus came from behind down the final straight to sprint home in second ahead of Canada.

A day after collecting silver in the 400m hurdles, Dutch anchor Femke Bol stormed home to keep the Netherlands in contention after a dropped baton but the team were disqualified. Italy and Switzerland advanced on time.

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