After the opening of the event at the Stade de France, Team GB made it to the finals of both the women’s and men’s 4x100m relay.

But there were exciting moments for the favourites in the women’s event after the USA skaters came dangerously close to being disqualified after making a mistake on their second handover. There was another shock in the men’s event when Jamaica failed to qualify for the final after a series of botched handovers.

In the first heat of the women’s 4x100m relay, American Melissa Jefferson started well and handed off to Twanisha Terry, but Gabby Thomas charged out too early and the runner was able to change the baton just in time. Silver medalist in the 100m, Sha’Carri Richardson, had a lot to do as the final runner, but gave it her all and brought her team across the finish line first with a time of 41.94 seconds. The Americans won gold in 2012 and 2016, but finished second behind Jamaica in Tokyo.

The British team – Bianca Williams, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Amy Hunt and Desiree Henry – took a comfortable win in the second heat. With smooth handovers that belied the difficulties of British quartets in this discipline, the team clocked a time of 42.03. Hosts France fought hard for second place with 42.13, while reigning Olympic champions Jamaica took third place with 42.35 – with the top three in each heat guaranteed a place in Friday’s final.

Great Britain, bronze medallists at the last two Games, will be greatly strengthened by the return of Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita for the final.

In the men’s event, the United States took the first step toward ending its dry spell in the men’s 4x100m relay, qualifying as the fastest in Thursday’s heats, in which Jamaica was surprisingly eliminated after two poor transitions.

The British team of Jeremiah Azu, Louie Hinchliffe, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake took third in the first heat. First place went to Team USA, who are chasing the title for the first time since Sydney 2000. Fred Kerley, who was involved in the botched exchange that ended their Tokyo hopes, ran a strong second leg to hand over to green-haired Kyree King and Courtney Lindsey brought them home in 37.47 seconds. Akani Simbine ran a fast final leg to take South Africa into second place in 37.94 seconds, just ahead of Great Britain (38.04).

After qualifying, Kilty said he believed the British team would get to the final quicker. “We’re skipping breakfast to burn calories and prioritise sleep,” he said. “So we’re like vampires in the night. We’ll come out and be ready for blood tomorrow night.”