Great Britain win Olympic women’s 4x100m relay bronze

Great Britain won an Olympic medal in the women’s 4x100m relay for the first time since 1984, claiming bronze as the United States retained their title.

Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita ran a British record of 41.77 seconds in Rio’s Olympic Stadium.

The US, who only qualified for Friday’s final at the second attempt after dropping their baton, won in 41.01, the second-fastest time in history.

Silver medallists Jamaica ran 41.36.

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson narrowly missed out on matching compatriot Usain Bolt’s sprint treble after her victories in the 100m and 200m.

“Wonderful experience. My first Olympics. Two golds, a silver, I can’t complain,” she said.

Philip, Henry, Asher-Smith and Neita set a new British record

Age no barrier for record-breaking Britons

GB’s first medal in the event since winning bronze at Moscow 1984 capped a remarkable reversal in fortunes after they failed to reach the final at London 2012.

Philip, the oldest member of the quartet at 25, said: “We came here to get a medal and we delivered. We had a lot of pressure to get this, but we had so much trust and faith in these girls.”

Henry, 20, said: “I cannot believe it. This was my first Olympics and I wanted to go out and enjoy it but also to get a medal. To do it I had tears in my eyes. Thank you to everyone who has made this happen.”

Asher-Smith, also 20, said: “We have worked unbelievably hard. Out of all the teams I think we worked the hardest. This is for the entire nation.”

Daryll Nieta, 19, said: “I am speechless. I am so proud of our team. We absolutely smashed it.”