PARIS — Livingstone graduate Quanera Hayes is a gold medalist. The United States set an American record in the 4×400 final on Saturday, destroying the field with the second fastest time in history. The USA won the event for the eighth time in a row.  

Hayes, 32, who starred for Livingstone from 2012-15, did not run in the 4×400 final, but she did run in Friday's qualifying heat, so she'll receive a gold medal.  Hayes ran the lead off leg in Friday's heat. Hayes ran a 51.27 leg and handed off to Shamier Little with the Americans in second place. Little ran a 49.22 to put the United States into the lead to stay.

 In the finals on Saturday, Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabrielle Thomas and Alexis Holmes took charge and beat the runner-up Netherlands by over 4 seconds. Great Britain won the bronze.

 Hayes, a native of Hope Mills, N.C., was making her second Olympic appearance. She competed for Livingstone from 2012-15. Hayes made the Olympic Team for the rescheduled 2021 Tokyo Games, after winning the women's 400 final at the U.S. Olympic trials. Hayes finished seventh in the 400 in Tokyo.