Demps got the United States off to a quick start, and Justin Gatlin, who trains at Clermont's National Training Center, brought the team home as the Americans ran the fastest time in Friday's 4x100-meter relay Olympic qualifying round.
The Americans will compete in the finals today at 4 p.m.
The team of Demps, Darvis Patton, Trell Kimmons and Gatlin used smooth baton exchanges and won the second qualifying heat with an American-record time of 37.38 seconds. It eclipsed the former record of 37.40 first run by Mikel Marsh, Leroy Burrell, Dennis Mitchell and Carl Lewis at the Barcelona Olympics 20 years ago.
"I just wanted to come out and have fun and enjoy the moment," Demps said, according to USA Track and Field. "There was no pressure. I was just excited."
The Americans also ran the world's fastest time of the year and it set up a showdown with Jamaica, which remains the gold-medal favorite. The Jamaican team, which holds the world record (37.04), won the first qualifying heat in 37.39 seconds.
"This was my first time running anchor ever. To win and to set the American record is special," Gatlin said. "When we come together, we can break records like we did today."
Demps, a former Florida football and track star, was a late addition to the team as an alternate. He replaced Mike Rodgers, who has a stress fracture in his left foot.
Jamaica didn't run Usain Bolt, who already has swept gold in the 100 and 200, in the prelims.
Bolt is expected to be a part of the Jamaican lineup for the final.
The U.S. also could make adjustments.
Ryan Bailey and Tyson Gay, a Clermont resident who also trains at the NTC, could be added. Gay finished fourth in the 100 behind bronze medalist Gatlin. Bailey finished fifth in the 100.
"We will put the best four out there [in the finals]," Patton said. "If I am part of it, I will run my hardest. If not, I will be the biggest cheerleader — pompoms, skirt and all."
If the U.S. team wins a medal but Demps does not participate in the final, he will still earn a medal for his contributions to the relay team.
