Former Loughborough College sports students Richard Kilty and Harry Aikines-Aryeety joined James Ellington and Chijindu Ujah to qualify for the 4 x 100m relay final on day 13 of the Rio Olympic Games.
The team came through in 38.06, the fastest time ever recorded in lane one.
Japan came in first ahead of Jamaica, who rested Usain Bolt ahead of his bid for gold in the 200m final later in the day. Trinidad and Tobago followed in third with Britain fourth.
Richard Kilty said: “We knew we had a task on with lane one, for some reason all of the GB sprinters have been getting lane one and that’s a bit unlucky.
“But that’s the fastest time we have run in lane one, I don’t think I’ve ever seen another team in the world run quick from lane one. So fingers crossed they put us in an outer lane for the final. But no matter what we get we are going to fight and we are still in contention for a medal.
“When we are in that final we are going to bring it. We’ve never gone slower in a final, we are always going to take it out, with the adrenalin, the occasion. No matter what we are going to be even better.”
Bolt will be brought in for Jamaica for the final with Adam Gemili and former Loughborough College student James Dasaolu likely to come in for the final for Team GB.
Day 14 will see Britain’s women’s hockey team, featuring former Loughborough College student Nicola White, bid for their first ever gold medal in their first ever final while athletes from Loughborough College are set to line up for the Men’s 4x100m relay, final and the Mens 4 x 400 relay heats.