Jamaica won the women's 4x100 metres relay Olympic gold medal on Friday after race favourites the United States crashed out of the race with a botched second changeover.

Jamaica, second in Sydney, scorched home in 41.73 seconds, well clear of Russia (42.27) and France (42.54).

The United States, fastest qualifiers and hoping to regain the title they lost to the Bahamas four years ago after four straight Olympic golds, saw their hopes disappear at the end of the second leg.

Marion Jones, fresh from missing out on a medal in the long jump, could not catch Lauryn Williams and despite repeated attempts to thrust the baton into her hand, ran out of track.