Published on: 07/08/2024 – 01:46

3 mins

Ray van den Berg, Harrie Lavreysen and Jeffrey Hoogland became the fastest team to qualify for the gold medal after crushing Canada in the qualifying round in 41.191 seconds, slightly shy of their personal best of 41.225 seconds set in February 2020.

England is preparing to settle scores with Germany.

But it was a set in name only. In the final, Usain Bolt, like other sprinters in the 100m races of the past, finished early.

Van den Berg completed the first 250m in 17.123sec. Britain’s Ed Lowe wasn’t far behind in 17.346sec but Harrie Lavreysen changed the game. He completed the 250m in 11.763sec. Hamish Turnbull could only post 12.213sec. This gave anchor Hoogland a 0.673sec advantage.

The 31-year-old declined the invitation to slouch. He increased his lead over the final 250 metres to cross the finish line 0.865 seconds ahead of Jack Carlin – an eternity in the intensity of marginal gains at this level – in a world record time of 40.949 seconds.

Effort

“We have worked so hard for this moment and for the three of us to achieve it together is an incredible achievement,” said Van den Berg.

“Everything will be fine in the final,” he added. “We kept our heads up, stayed focused and did something that has never been done on this track before.

“People were always happy to race at 41 seconds. And today we got to the 40-second barrier, which I think is absolutely phenomenal.

“And I’m so happy to have achieved this with such a great team, including our squad.”

Records were changing so quickly that the official Olympic website couldn’t keep up.

Update

The old Berlin record was 41.225 when 41.191 was valid, and it stood at 41.191 for several hours when a new fad emerged sported by the same trio who won gold in Tokyo.

“It was amazing to have people in the stands,” smiled Van den Berg. “Everywhere in Tokyo was empty and it was great to perform here in front of this amazing crowd.

“I had about 20 friends and family here to celebrate this achievement, and all the supporters from Holland… it was absolutely amazing. And to break a world record while winning Olympic gold, it couldn’t have been better.”

The evening of whiplash in Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines began with eight teams divided into four rounds. The challenge was simple. To win at breathtaking speed.

Tokyo 2021 bronze medallists Rayan Helal, Florian Grengbo and Sebastien Vigier of France opened the show against Japan to chants of “Allez les Bleus”. The trio won in 42.376 seconds and were met with a frenzy of noise.

Ultimately, they could only qualify for the bronze medal against Australia.

Penance

The Australians won in 41.597 seconds, to the chagrin of fans and the delight of Matthew Glaetzer, who lost out in bronze medal races at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021.

“I’ve been through a lot of heartbreak,” the 31-year-old actress said.

“I’ve been on the losing side in every team sprint at the Olympics, in the bronze final, and it was very difficult.

“But to be on the winning side in the end was pretty special.”

For the record, Japan came in fifth and Germany came in sixth, with China beating Canada to secure seventh place.

Van den Berg said he would not be celebrating after his title-winning performance, in favour of having breakfast with Lavreysen and Hoogland.

“They have individual sprints on Wednesday and I want to show my respect to the boys by going to bed early and waking up early. I want to support them.

“We have worked very hard for this team sprint,” he added. “The competitions have just started for them and they have started very well.

“But there are three days of sprint events and then two days of keirin. So that means they have to perform and be at their best for five more days. So there’s no time for celebrations yet.

“But Sunday night, this will be fine.”