The British team of Roger Black, Derek Redmond, John Regis and Kris Akabusi were given little chance before the race.
With newly-crowned 400m world champ Antonio Pettigrew on the final leg for the dominant Americans, the result was considered a foregone conclusion - except by the Brits.
Just before the gun, Roger Black switched from the anchor to the first leg - the idea being to be up there with the Americans at the final changeover. The team felt their only chance lay in putting pressure on Pettigrew. If he were five metres clear on the final leg, the race was as good as over.
Redmond kept pace with Quincy Watts and although Danny Everett was in front of Regis at the final baton-change, Kris Akabusi was able to settle in behind Pettigrew.
He hung with him for 350m, waiting for his chance, and then kicked past in the home straight with the ultimate display of desire over ability.
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