While Sha'Carri Richardson did not receive the final hand-off in the lead, she made sure to finish with one.

Richardson, 24, anchored the U.S. women home in a time of 41.78 on Friday in the women's 4x100 at the Paris Olympics, helping the Americans earn their 12th gold medal in the event since 1932. 

Great Britain followed close behind in second, going 41.85, while Germany was third in 41.97. 

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Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas and Sha'Carri Richardson led the U.S. women and earned the team's first medal in eight years, the last coming in 2016 in Rio. 

Jefferson, 23, was the team's lead-off and split 11.46, while the 25-year-old Twanisha Terry followed in 9.98, the 27-year-old Thomas covered the curve in 10.25 and Richardson came home in 10.09. Jefferson ran through the zone over the first leg, giving Terry space to operate over the back straight, though Thomas did not give Richardson a lead into the final exchange. 

Richardson didn't accept the stick clean, but she accelerated past the field and sealed the victory. Richardson was returning to the track following her runner-up finish in the 100m on Aug. 3 in 10.87. Jefferson was third in that race in 10.92, while Terry was fifth in 10.97.

For the U.S. team, the win was significant, as it was Richardson's, Jefferson's and Terry's first gold medal in an Olympic competition. Thomas doubled back from her win in the 200m on Tuesday, earning her second of the Paris Olympics. 

Great Britain started with Dina Asher-Smith, followed by Imani Lansiquot, Amy Huntdina and finished with Daryll Neita as the anchor.

Jamaica placed fifth without Shelly Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, finishing in 42.29. Germany won bronze, staying with Great Britain for most of the race and finishing in 41.97. 

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