The women's 4x100m relay world record time is 40.82 seconds. The United States set it in the final at the 2012 London Olympics on 10 August, with Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter running the decisive race.
The quartet won by a clear margin and lowered the previous world record, held by East Germany since 1985, by 0.55 seconds. That was an extraordinary improvement for a sprint relay, where baton exchanges and acceleration zones make every fraction crucial. The performance also restored the United States to the top of the event after the team’s baton failures at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
A common mix-up is confusing this mark with the 4x100m relay’s championship or national records, which can change without affecting the global standard. The 40.82 record belongs to the United States Olympic team, although relay records are credited to the nation and the specific athletes who competed. The men’s 4x100m record is a separate event with a different time and record history.