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Fraser-Pryce scoops third gold

Moscow - Jamaica regained the women's 4x100 metres relay title in Moscow on Sunday at the World Athletics Championships with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce clinching an historic three-gold sweep.

The Jamaicans timed a championship record 41.29 seconds to take gold while France won silver (42.73sec) and defending champions the United States the bronze (42.75sec).

The Jamaicans' victory meant Fraser-Pryce became the first woman sprinter to win both the individual events (100/200m) and the 4x100m relay at a world championships.

On Thursday, the 26-year-old had become only the third woman to do the individual double joining Silke Gladisch (1987) and Katrin Krabbe (1991).

However, Gladisch had to settle for silver with East Germany in the relay and Krabbe the bronze for Germany four years later.

Fraser-Pryce's 200m victory was her first at this level and made easier by three-time champion Allyson Felix collapsing injured on the bend.

She said while she was delighted to have become the first woman to win the treble she hoped it would do more for the image of women's sprinting.

"Sometime yes, I definitely get peeved," said Fraser-Pryce, who is also the two-time Olympic 100m gold medallist.

"Women's sprinting is something the sport should appreciate more. I'm glad women's sprinting is taking the course it is."

Fraser-Pryce said that the three titles were reward for intensive training and dedication.

"Getting three gold medals is something I'll really cherish," she said.

"We went out, had fun and I've now got three gold medals. It takes a lot of hard work, to stay committed and focus on what I wanted to achieve."

The Americans, who broke the world record in winning Olympic gold last year, saw their hopes of retaining the title evaporate on a disastrous second handover between Alexandria Anderson and 100m finalist English Gardner.

Gardner went far too early and all but had to stop so she could take the baton, but with all her momentum gone by the time she came to hand over to Octavious Freeman the Jamaicans were assured of victory.

Fraser-Pryce sped down the track -- with Usain Bolt watching and mouthing 'go on, go on' from the athletes call room where he was waiting to be summoned for his relay final -- and by the time she crossed the line had some 20 metres on the French.

The Americans through their final runner Freeman battled to the bronze which, given they were missing both the injured Felix and Carmelita Jeter, the 2011 world 100m champion, and third in last Sunday's individual final, will be some consolation.

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