The United States struck triple Olympic track gold, while Usain Bolt kept alive his dream of an unprecedented second consecutive sprint double.
The American gold rush was fired by Allyson Felix in the 200m yesterday as she finally nailed an Olympic gold at the third time of asking.
Felix, a silver medallist at the 2004 and 2008 Games over the distance, powered to victory in 21.88sec to thwart Jamaican rival Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's hopes of adding the 200m title to her 100m crown.
Fraser-Pryce took silver in 22.09sec with Carmelita Jeter of the United States winning bronze in 22.14sec.
Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown -- chasing a historic third consecutive Olympic 200m gold after pipping Felix at the two previous games -- had to settle for fourth in a time of 22.38sec.
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"Finally! It has been a long time coming," said 26-year-old Felix. "I've waited so long for this moment, for so long, and I am just overjoyed.
"I thought back to the disappointment in Beijing. It's been a long road, I never wanted to give up. It's been a journey - never easy, but you can't lose sight of your dream."
Felix's gold was swiftly followed by a dominant display in the 110m hurdles by teammate Aries Merritt, the fastest man in the world this season.
Merritt clocked a personal best of 12.92sec, with another American, world champion Jason Richardson, taking silver, and Hansle Parchment claiming a surprise bronze -- Jamaica's first ever medal in the event.