Doha Worlds: the United States triumphs in Doha

A superpower of athletics, the United States has, as it often happens, flown over the Doha Worlds, concluded on Sunday with successes over 100m hurdles (Nia Ali) and 4x400m relays for men and women, equaling their gold medal record (14) . It's very simple, on the 17 editions of the World Championships, only four escaped the relentless domination of the USA (1983, 1987, 2001, 2015). That played in Qatar has been faithful to the tradition with 29 podiums including 14 victories, as in 2007 in Osaka and 2005 in Helsinki. The supremacy of the Americans in 2019 was facilitated by the return to the top of house sprinters in men, after a long parenthesis opened by the appearance on the international scene of the Jamaican legend Usain Bolt, who retired in 2017.

But there are not only cars in the United States and the success of the two 4×400 relay men and women has proved the wide range of athletes from across the Atlantic with a special mention for Allyson Felix. Although a replacement after being placed in the playoffs, the 33-year-old Californian, who returned only in July after 13 months of absence due to pregnancy, added a new coronation to her impressive record after the 29th of September on the 4x400m relay. mixed. With 13 wins at the Worlds, she surpassed Bolt in the annals in Doha, consolidating her status as the most successful athlete in the history of the competition (18). An exceptional total, to which must be added nine Olympic podiums including six titles. Great art.

Dominating 4x400m relays

Even without Felix, the United States, easy winners in 3'18''92, were in any case untouchable in view of the proposed cast with Dalilah Muhammad, holder of the 400m hurdles world record she improved for the second Friday (52''16), her runner-up Sydney McLaughlin, 2nd overall at 20, and 2017 world champion Phyllis Francis. On the men's side, the Fred Kerley shock quartet, Michael Cherry, Wilbert London and Rai Benjamin, in silver over the 400m hurdles, also looked great. And to say that the prodigy Michael Norman, injured in the semifinals of the 400m, was absent. So there was no suspense and the United States easily won in 2'56''69 to close the Worlds in style.

Just before the two relays, the United States had already offered a double over 100m hurdles with Nia Ali, crowned with a personal best (13''24) in front of her compatriot Kendra Harrison, recordwoman of the world. Ali, mother of two small children born to two different fathers (American sprinter Michael Tinsley and Canadian Andre De Grasse), then allowed himself a nice lap of honor with his offspring, draped in the stars and stripes. As a symbol of the grip of Uncle Sam's representatives on these World Championships.