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China's Fantastic 4 take historic silver in 4x100m

The Chinese men's relay team worked miracle on Saturday when they captured a historic 4x100m relay silver medal.

The team became the very superstars of the Bird's Nest Stadium, stealing much of the thunder of Jamaica which defended the title in 37.36 seconds.

When the Chinese Fantastic 4 were celebrating their unprecedented bronze medal, they found out they were promoted to second place as the United States was disqualified for exchanging the baton out of zone. Canada was lifted to third place in 38.13.

Consisting of two of the fastest men in Asia - Su Bingtian and Zhang Peimeng, the host team started on the ninth lane as Mo Youxue and Xie Zhenye kept pace with the other teams while birthday boy Su improved their position to fourth in the third leg. Zhang edged past Canada's J. Warner in the final meters to ensure a podium finish.

As they did a lap of honor, Su, turning 26 Saturday, was greeted with a happy birthday chorus by the capacity National Stadium.

The good sign already showed in the morning heats where China finished fourth overall in 37.92 seconds, shaving 0.07 off their previous Asian best set in the Asian Games last year. Last time a Chinese team appeared in the final was in 1987 in Rome where they finished eighth in 39.93.

"I had never thought of winning a silver medal," said Su, the first Chinese to reach the world men's 100m final and clock 9.99 seconds.

"We have been training very hard to make four people as one. We practiced baton exchange every day since this May."

"This is the moment of life. Can you imagine that 80,000 people sang birthday song to me?" added Su.




 

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