Botched baton exchange, disqualification ruin USA's men's 4x100m relay gold quest
PARIS: The USA were gunning for their first Olympic gold in the men's 4x100m relay since the Sydney 2000 Games, but ruined their hopes with a fumbling baton exchange that resulted in disqualification.
An American team featuring Christian Coleman, Kenneth Bednarek, Kyree King and Fred Kerley — Noah Lyles missed with COVID-19 — were brought undone when Coleman and Bednarek duffed the first changeover.
An exchange described as "awful" by Nine expert commentator Tamsyn Manou saw Coleman pass the baton to Bednarek outside of the changeover box.
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A Canadian team consisting of Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and Andre De Grasse charged to glory in 37.50 seconds, clinching Canada's first Olympic gold in the event since the Atlanta 1996 Games.
South Africa secured silver in 37.57 and Great Britain grabbed bronze in 37.61.
The USA's men's 4x100m relay team pictured moments after being disqualified. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
"We could've put in more work," Coleman said as the Americans attempted to come to grips with their disqualification.
"It just didn't happen. We practised a lot. Me and Kenny have been on the team a few times, and we felt really confident going out there. It just didn't happen this time. It's part of the sport."
Drizzle was falling at the Stade de France but Fred Kerley, the USA team's anchor, said rain was not a factor in the botched changeover.
"We practising this," he said.
"The rain don't affect no nothing. We train and breathe track and field, so the weather don't affect nothing. Everybody have the same weather. Ain't no nothing to it."
Canadian Andre De Grasse anchoring his country to gold in the men's 4x100m relay in Paris. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Moments before the Americans' heartbreak in the men's 4x100m relay, US sprinting megastar Sha'Carri Richardson had cannoned her country to gold in the women's event.
The US were placed fourth when Gabrielle Thomas passed the baton to Richardson.
Then the Dallas native exploded.
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First she rocketed past Frenchwoman Chloe Galet, then Great Britain's Daryll Neita and German Rebekka Haase, to finally get her hands on Olympic gold.
Richardson was favoured to win Olympic 100m gold in Tokyo three years ago, but was suspended after testing positive to THC, a chemical found in marijuana.
The 24-year-old was again favoured to capture 100m gold in Paris, but was upstaged by St Lucia sprinter Julien Alfred. Richardson was forced to settle for silver.
The American sprinting queen anchored the US to relay gold in 41.78, as Great Britain claimed silver in 41.85 and Germany bronze in 41.97.
Sha'Carri Richardson and her USA teammates jump for joy after winning Olympic gold in the women's 4x100m relay. Michael Steele/Getty Images
"The moment that I will describe is realising that when we won, the USA ladies, it was a phenomenal feeling for all of us," Richardson said.
"I just remember trusting my third leg, trusting Gabby and knowing that she's going to put this thing in my hand no matter what, and to leave my best on the track," Richardson said.
"I was very comfortable with these ladies."
Thomas said it was "special" to pass the baton to Richardson.
"She is so fast," Thomas said.
"I felt very proud and very grateful.
"We got the gold."
