Team USA Olympic team dominates 4x400m relay

Track and field, particularly on the women's side, has been a strong category for the Team USA Olympic team in Paris. It was therefore fitting that the 4x400 relay event ended in such a dominant victory. Fittingly, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Alexis Holmes, and Shamier Little, who saw much individual success, punctuated their participation at the games with a commanding win.

This has been a year filled with many memorable events as well as moments that will be talked about for a long time. This race was no different. While maybe not needed, McLaughlin-Levrone took the baton and instantly erased any possible doubt of who the winners were going to be. With her ability to outpace the competition, it also showed the collective ability of this team. When it was her turn to run to race, a first-place finish was more or less secure.

This demonstrated that it's not any single runner but that an embarrassment of riches is available for this roster. Then, when it came time for the former athlete of the Kentucky Wildcats, the change of pace and further ability to widen the gap were impressive. So much so that a casual viewer may have said that this was easy and may have even taken the performance for granted.

But what this shows is an overall level of preparation and work that was on full display. Thomas, Holmes, and Little would have comfortably won if an average Olympian would have run the final stretch. Again, this just shows how deep the pool is that the Americans have to pull from. But when it came time to watch McLaughlin-Levrone turn on the afterburners, another level was showcased.

But if anything, this performance on how it played out illustrates what it takes to be this good and what a true competitor she and the rest of the team are. Despite the large lead, everyone felt it necessary to not only give their full effort but to respect the sport. A lot of people, and this isn't a slight, would have been comfortable easing up and not giving their full effort through the finish line.

Testament to the Team USA Olympic team

Photo byBlocks FletcheronUnsplash

But the fact that in an event that they were highly favored despite everything going to plan and really having nothing to lose, they still felt the need to give it their all. This mentality is ultimately what makes them worthy of being named champions. Often times, this is not how it works in competitive athletics. The better team or the better, more talented individual often lose.

Furthermore, this is why, at the end of the day, whoever prevails and is able to overcome when it counts the most, with all things being equal, deserves the most credit. Undoubtedly, the Team USA Olympic team will often have athletes in favorable positions. There are a lot of resources, financial backing, and support to allow competitors to more or less focus on their craft.

However, even with this being the case, it still takes a lot going right and individual willpower and perseverance to consistently be at a high level. The overall infrastructure may be better than in some countries, but the heart and determination of all athletes from Team USA are immeasurable. The best way to show appreciation and gratitude for everything that these people have put on the line is to continue to follow their sport beyond the closing ceremony.

Athletes like Thomas, McLaughlin-Levrone, and Simone Biles put in a lot of work to get to this point, and it goes far beyond showing up once every four years. Particularly for track and field, which is seeing something of an attack at the college level, it's important to show support so that the Team USA Olympic team can continue to visit the podium and hear the Star-Spangled Banner.