4 × 100 metres Relay, Women

The US had the fastest runners, led by Wyomia Tyus and Edith McGuire, who had won the 100 and 200 respectively, with McGuire gaining silver in the 100. And Marilyn White had finished fourth in the 100 for the United States. But Poland had a top team, led by 100 bronze medalist Ewa Kłobukowska, and they had trained together and featured crisp baton work. In the final, Poland’s exchanges overcame the Americans speed and they won quite easily in what appeared to be a world record of 43.6 (43.69). But in 1966, Kłobukowska failed a gender test before the European Championships, and was disqualified from women’s competition. The Polish gold medal was allowed to stand, but the IAAF removed the world records from the books and the US time of 43.9 (43.92) became the world record.