‘We’re heartbroken for China’, says victorious USA 4x100m relay team after golden run

Allyson Felix and US teammate Tianna Bartoletta said their “hearts broke” for the China 4x100m women’s relay team who were controversially bumped from the final after the Americans were allowed to re-run their semi.

Felix’s team ran alone in surreal circumstances at the Olympic Stadium after officials ruled they deserved a second chance, having missed the final after being obstructed on a baton change by Brazil’s team.

WATCH: golden moments on Day 13 at the Rio Olympics

They stormed to victory in Friday night’s final, winning in 41.01 seconds, the second-fastest time ever. Jamaica were second and Great Britain third.

China had qualified eighth for the final but were bumped after the US re-run, sparking fury among their team and its fans.

“Of course [we have sympathy],” said Felix, who became the first woman to win five gold medals in track.

“It was a very unfortunate situation all the way round and our hearts just broke that a decision like that had to be made.