Sha'Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas help Team USA qualify for 4x100 final

Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas and Sha'Carri Richardson teamed up to win their heat Thursday in Saint-Denis, France, using a 41.94 to qualify for the 4x100-meter relay final.

The fast foursome edged second-place Germany and third-place Switzerland in the first heat. Great Britain, France and Jamaica were the three fastest teams in the second heat. Canada and the Netherlands rounded out the eight qualifying teams.

Richardson's 9.99-second time was the second-fastest segment of any competitor and the fastest final-leg time of the event. Jefferson and Terry clocked the respective best times for their legs among all qualifiers.

The Americans, who finished second in the event at Tokyo 2020, are looking to win for the third time since 2012. The final will be held at 1:30 p.m. EDT Friday at the Stade de France.

Team USA's Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Kyree King and Courtney Lindsey won their men's 4x100-meter relay heat, the next event held on the track.

They clocked a 37.47. South Africa (37.94) and Great Britain (38.04) finished second and third.

China (38.24), France (38.34) and Canada (38.39) were the Top 3 finishers in the second heat. Japan and Italy also qualified for the men's final, which will be held at 1:47 p.m. Friday in Saint-Denis.