The United States brought down the curtain on the World Athletics Championships in Paris with a one of the closest ever finishes in the men's 4x400 metres relay.

The quartet of Calvin Harrison, Tyree Washington, Derrick Brew and Jerome Young beat back a strong challenge from France to clock 2:58.88 seconds.

France took the silver with a national record of 2:58.96s, while Jamaica took the bronze in 2:59.60 seconds.

The first three placers came inside three minutes.

It was the United States' seventh World Championships victory in the event.

The United States also won the women's 4x400 metres relay, scoring an upset of sorts.

The quartet of Me'Lisa Barber, Demetria Washington, Jearl Miles, Sanya Richards shocked the fancied Russians while clocking 3:22.63 seconds to win the gold medal.

Russia timed a season's best 3:22.91 metres for the silver while Jamaica, with a time of 3:22.92 seconds, won the bronze.