Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

Usain Bolt is celebrating having won a treble treble of gold medals. The achievement comes after the Jamaican team won the 4 x 100 meter relay. But the women’s event was overshadowed by controversy.

Gearing up for the penultimate track and field session of Rio 2016 with the 4 by 100 meter relays among the highlights.

China’s women’s team had thought they had qualified for the final having finished as one of the fastest runners up.

But the USA team then appealed their disqualification for dropping the baton… claiming Brazil had impeded them.

"The US filed a protest with the referee originally. The track referee examined the video of the race and decided yes that the US team had been obstructed by Brazil in the second change over. And that they should therefore have the chance for a rerun," said Anna Legnani, IAAF deputy spokesperson.

Despite two appeals from China, the reprieve meant the surreal sight of the US quartet running another heat all to themselves.

Their time of 40.82 saw China who ranks eighth knocked out of the final.

"We respect the decision, and we obey the decision, but I think it is unfair. In the past, team affected couldn’t do anything, but to accept things. They could not get a chance to run again. According to the rule, a competition needs at least two teams, usually three National teams to run. It’s unfair. And also the surroundings and weather is totally different from the morning, without other teams they can run calmly," said Feng Shuyong, China athletics team coach.

The incident has prompted calls that future Olympic athletics events should be held on a nine-lane track as was the case at London 2012.

The ninth lane was utilized in London when a similar incident eventually saw South Africa reinstated to the men’s four by four-hundred relay final.

"It is true that having nine lanes would have allowed a different solution which would have made everybody happier. But on the other hand, having an obligation to have nine lanes maybe a bit complicated because sometimes we are using the venues that are already existing and it can be very complicated to impose having nine lanes," said Anna Legnani.

China’s focus now will be on ensuring the team reach the final next time at Tokyo 2020.