Rubie and Thornton Star in Relay Final

Olympic rookies Jessica Thornton and Anneliese Rubie have given Australian athletics officials high hopes for the future following strong runs in the final of the 4 x 400m relay in Rio.

The Australians finished eighth in the final but just a second and a half behind third placed Great Britain.

In fact, their time in qualifying for the final would have been good enough to win the bronze medal in the final.

It has officials enthused about Australia’s medal hopes for Tokyo in 2020 with such a young and talented quartet putting their name up in lights.

Teenager Thornton led off the Australian challenge from lane 2 and clocked 52.8 before handing over to NSWIS teammate Rubie.

She recorded the second-fastest of the Australian times, running 51.2 just days after competing in the semi-finals of the 400m individual event.

The USA won gold ahead of Jamaica and Great Britain.